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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTF<i,  N.Y.  14580 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  IMotet/Notes  t«Ct:nique8  et  bibliographiquas 


Tha  Institute  has  attarrpted  to  obtain  the  beat 
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copy  whic.^i  may  be  bibliographicaliy  unique, 
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L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilSeur  axemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-^tre  uniques  du 
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modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


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Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  peillcul^e 

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Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

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□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

□    Coloured  plates  and/cr  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 
D 


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Bound  with  other  material/ 
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Lareliure  serree  peut  cac^er  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
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Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
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have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pagas  blanches  ajotities 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  csia  4tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  iti  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


D 
D 
D 
E 
D 
0 
0 
D 


n 


Coiourad  pages/ 
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Pages  endommagies 

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Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculies 

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Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

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Qualiti  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matiriel  supplimentaire 


r*n    Only  edition  available/ 


Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refitmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc  ,  cnt  itd  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  facon  a 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

__y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


^jp*'oduc0d  thanks 


Th«  copy  filmed  h«ra  has  baan 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

McLennan  Library 
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Montreal 


Tha  imagas  appearing  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  iaglbiiity 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  ara  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  end  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illuatrated  im^.a8' 
sion,  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  imprea- 
i,ion.  and  ending  on  thf^  iaat  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  impression. 


L'exemplaiie  flimi  fut  reproduit  grice  h  la 
g^nirositt  de: 

McLennan  Library 
McGill  University 
Montreal 

Lee  imagea  sulvantaa  ont  Ati  raproduites  svec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  n.attet*  de  I'exemplaira  film*,  at  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmaga. 

Lea  axamplairea  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  en 
papier  est  imprimte  sont  film4s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  solt  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreaalon  ou  dlllustratlon,  solt  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  caa.  Toua  lea  autras  axemplairea 
origlnaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  or  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —»■(  meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbcl  y  (meening  "END"), 
whichever  appliaa. 

Maps,  piaij^s,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  tha 
method: 


Un  dee  symboles  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
darnlAre  imege  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^  signlfie  "A  SUIVRK",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Loe  cartea,  planches,  tabieeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fllmte  A  dee  taux  da  rMuction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  eet  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cllchA,  11  eet  film*  A  partir 
de  I'angSa  sup4rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  h  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  baa,  en  prenant  la  nombre 
d'imeges  nteessaire.  Lea  diagrammea  suivanta 
illuatrent  la  mithode. 


12  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

,fv  /  0 


312-if 


Ud.^J'ii/Ji 


x.//-^ 


fyrt'^/fOL 


t^rt  //a4^* 


i 


^'^' 


Mr,  Langdon's 
SERMON 


O  N    THE 


Long  Life  of  a  good  Kin<j 


AND    THE 


Qmqueft  of  ^JEBEC. 


l?j^M^\ 


m^mmwi^s^^'mmk 


A^T       irU  (jt^4..M 


4^   Ov. 


9l6^f^' 


i."  / 


i     ./- 


E 


K 


Joy  and  Gratitude  to  God 

FOR     TH  E 

LONG  LIFE  of  a  GOOD  KING, 


AND     THE 


Conquefi  of  Q^ESKC. 

A 

SERMON 

Preached  in  the  Firft  Parifh  of  Portsmouth,  in 

NeW'HampJhirey  SsLturdoy,  Novemlfer  lo'**  1759. 

Being  the  Anniverfary  Birth  Day  of 

His  prefent  Majefty  King  GEORGE  II. 

And  appointed  by  His  Excellency 

BENNING  WENTWORTH,  Efq; 

Governor  of  faid  Province, 

A  Day  of  general  Thanksgiving  and  public 
Rejoicing  for  the  Succefs  of  His  Majesty's 
ArmSj  efpecially  againfl 

CANADA, 


By  S amuel Langdon ^  a.  m. 

FORJS  M^UTH:  ■  ) 

Piinted  and  Sold  by  jjanid  Fowle^     1760. 


I 


n 


rat 
fe\ 
of 
bai 


S^*<?  <g>«:-<S>  ^«J*  *^^  ^^•i^  ^*^  ^    X 
^*^  ^gj-gj^  ^^*  *^^'  ^e#  <3>*^  n*^  ^• 


P  S  A  L.     XXI.     I,  2,   3,  4,  8,   II,   12,  13. 

T/6^  King  JJ:all  joy  in  thyjlrengthy  O  Lord,  midm  thy 
fahation  Ioqiv  greatly  JJoall  he  rejoice.  Thou  haji 
given  him  his  heart's  defire^  and  hajl  not  with^ 
holden  the  requefi  of  his  lips.  For  thou  preventejl 
him  with  the  blejjings  of  goodnefs  ;  thou  fetteji  a 
crown  of  pure  gold  upon  his  head.  He  ajked  life 
of  thee,  and  thou  gave  ft  it  him,  even  length  of  days 

for  ever  and  ever. Thine  hand  fiall  fnd  out  all 

thine  enemies,  thy  right  hand  fiall  find  out  ihofe 

that  hate  thee. For  they  intended  evil  againji 

thee  :  they  imagined  a  mifchievous  device,  which 
they  were  not  able  to  perform.  Therefore  fcall  thou 
make  them  turn  their  back,  when  thcuJJ:alt  make 
ready  thine  arrows  upon  thy  firings,  againji  the 
face  of  them.  Be  thou  exalted.  Lord,  in  thine  own 
flrength  :  fo  will  wejing  and  praife  thy  power. 

IT  is  probable  David  wrote  this  divine  ode  foon 
after  he  had  received  that  promife  of  the  ella- 
blifhment  of  his  kingdom  in  an  uninterrupted 
line  of  fucceflion  thro*  his  fon  Solomon,  which 
we  find,  I  Chronicles,  if^  Chapter. 

On  this  promife  David  there  dwells  with  admi- 
ration and  rapture  :  it  is  plainly  the  fubjedl  of 
feveral  pfalms  ;  and  he  doubtlefs  underftood  it  as 
of  the  fame  tenor  with  the  promifes  made  to  Abra- 
ham and  the  Patriarchs,  ultimately  referring  to  the 

kingdom 


+ 


(6) 

kingdom  of  the  Mefliah.  This  he  fcems  principally 
to  keep  in  view  in  this  pfalm  ;  in  a  prophetic  man- 
ner he  defcants  upon  it,  and  rejoices  not  only  in  the 
higheft  aflurance  of  his  own  continued  vidories,  and 
the  greater  glory  of  his  fon  SQlomoriy  but  of  the  irre- 
fiflible  power  of  that  future  royal  fonagainft  whom 
no  policy  fliould  prevail,  no  weapon  prolper. 

But  as  far  as  this  pfalm  relates  to  himfelf,  he  de- 
voutly exprefles  his  intire  dcpendance  upon  God, 
afcribes  all  his  flrength,  fafety,  honor,  and  profpcrity 
to  him,  acknowleges  them  as  anfwers  to  his  continu- 
al prayers,  and  thankfully  refledls  upon  divine  good- 
nefs  in  prolonging  his  reign,  and  granting  him  the 
hope  of  an  endlefs  life  :  by  the  great  things  which 
God  had  already  done  for  him,  and  a  believing  prof- 
ped  of  the  Mefliah's  kingdom,  he  rifes  to  the  moft 
joyful  confidence  that  God  would  flill  continue  his 
favours  to  Ifrael  confidered  as  his  church,  and  dif- 
appoint  and  confound  all  their  enemies  ;  and  fo  he 
concludes  with  this  exulting  prayer  of  faith,  whkh. 
he  puts  into  the  mouths  of  the  whole  body  of  faints 

Be  thou  exalted,  Lcrd^  hi  thine  own  Jlrength  :  fo 

ivill  we  Ji?jg  ajjd  praife  thy  power,  q.  d.  Lord  ma- 
nifefl  thy  divine  peri'edions  more  and  more,  make 
thy  power  confpicuous  in  thy  wonderful  providences 
for  the  fafety  and  profperity  of  thy  church  -,  let  all 
nations  behold  thy  majefty  and  univerfal  dominion  : 
io  will  thy  people  iing  of  thy  goodnefs,  and  celebrate 
thy  praife.  Let  us  on  the  prefent  joyful  occafion 
fubjoin  our  hearty  Amen. 

I  have  not  time  to  mention  many  profitable  in^ 
ftrudions  contain'd  in  thel'e  verfes  ;  but  fhall  confine 
tnyfelf  to  thefe  three  remarks,  viz. 


^ 


i.  iiC 


J.  ilC 


(7) 

I.  The  ftrcngth,  fafety,  grandeur,  and  profpcrity 
of  kings,  efpccially  when  in  connexion  with 
the  fccurity  and  welfare  of  the  church,  muft 
be  afcrib'd  to  God. 

n.  1  he  long  life  and  profpcrous  reign  of  good 
kings  is  a  great  bleffing,  and  an  encouragement 
to  the  people  of  God  to  depend  upon  his  Con- 
tinued care  of  the  church,  and  the  further 
accomplifliment  of  his  promifes. 

III.  When  God  in  his  providence  remarkably 
defeats  and  fubdues  the  enemies  of  his  king- 
dom, good  men  will  take  peculiar  notice  of  his 
power,  and  give  glory  to  his  name. 

L  The  ftrength,  fafety,  grandeur,  and  profpcrity 
of  kings,  efpecially  when  in  connexion  with 
the  fecurity  and  welfare  of  the  church,  mull 
be  afcribed  to  God. 

All  things  are  of  God  :  the  cxiflence,  order, 
beauty  of  univerfal  nature,  fprung  from  his  almigh- 
ty word,  according  to  that  perfed  plan  of  eternal 
wildom,  by  which  all  things  appear'd  diftindly  in 
their  moft  minute  circumftances  to  an  infinite  mind, 
when  yet  they  were  not  :  the  conftant  laws  of  mate- 
rial fyftems  were  fix'd  from  the  beginning,  and  con- 
tinue by  his  will :  and  all  ifitelledtual  and  rational 
beings  are  equally  under  the  moft  cxad  regulation, 
by  that  fupreme  moral  government  which  he  more 
immediately  exercifes  as  God  over  all,  and  by  the 
conftitutions  which  he  has  fettled  agreeable  to  their 
various  ranks  and  circumftances. 

All  government  originates  from  him  who  is  the 
Creator  and  Lord  of  the  univerfe  ;  who  has  plainly 
pointed  out,  by  the  different  genius  and  capacities  of 

men. 


tl 


5 


(8  ) 

men,  various  fervices,  and  different  degrees  of  honor 
and  power  ;  who  has  made  Ibcicty  neceflary  for  our 
welfare  and  comfort  j  who  led  the  iirft  families  and 
tribes  of  mankind,  by  a  certain  inftind  of  nature,  to 
acknowlege  and  obey  their  refpecflive  heads,  and 
confent  to  that  authority  which  each  found  neceflary 
for  their  common  fafety. 

Government  began  in  patriarchal  authority,  and 
was  gradually  improved  into  more  ample  power, 
and  extenfivc  dominion,  eftablifli'd  upon  new  claims, 
according  to  the  rifing  exigencies  of  thofc  little  com- 
munities, and  the  opportunities  which  artful  ambi- 
tious men  feized  upon  from  time  to  time  to  aggran- 
dize themfclvcs,  and  fubjedl  cities  and  kingdoms  to 
their  will.  There  is  fomethi'^g  in  the  very  confti- 
tution  of  man,  and  the  general  condition  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  earth,  which  tends  to  divide  the 
world  into  diftindl  nations,  and  produce  the  various 
forms  and  degrees  of  dominion  which  have  appear'd 
in  all  ages.  Thus  the  chil  powers  are  ordained  of 
God,  defigned  originally  for  the  benefit  of  mankind, 
■erected  in  various  forms  by  his  fpecial  providence. 

We  no  where  find  any  certain  model  of  govern- 
ment, prefcribed  by  exprefs  revelation,  except  that 
given  to  Ifracl  under  Mofes  j  which  was  peculiar 
to  their  circumftances  as  a  national  church,  a  proper 
theocracy  under  the  condu<ft  of  a  peculiar  provi- 
dence. The  divine  right  of  kings,  as  it  has  been 
preach'dup  in  times  pad:  in  order  to  fupport  tyranny, 
and  pcrfuadc  people  to  bear  tlie  heavieft  yoke  with 
tame  fubmiffion,  is  a  whimfy  without  any  foundation 
in  fcripture  or  reafon  :  pa//ive  obedience  is  a  dodlrine 
which  none  can  fwallow  who  under^crnd  the  natu- 
ral rights  of  mankind  ;  wnich  proteflants  efpecially 

mull 


(9) 

muft  abhor  ;  whLh  England  has  always  rejc(5^ed  as 
inconfiftent  with  all  her  liberties  :  had  this  maxim 
prevailed,  the  great  revolution  by  which  Great-Bri- 
tain  was  happily  fecured  from  popi(h  kings  and  pre- 
tenders had  never  been  cfFcded,  and  long  before 
this  time  we  might  have  been  reduced  under  fub- 
jed:ion  to  Rome, 

But  tho'  we  deny  an  indefeafihle  divine  rights  we 
acknowlcge  kings  are  fet  up  by  the  providence  of 
God.  The  famous  ?ntient  monarchies  of  the  world 
were  ereded  according  to  his  pu^-pofe,  and  rofe  to 
the  height  of  their  grandeur  by  his  pcrmiflion. 
Even  tyrants  who  abutc  their  power,  are  exalted  by 
th'*  hand  of  God,  to  be  inftruments  of  chaftifing  the 
nations  for  their  fins  ;  he  raifes  rhem  up,  or  calls 
them  down,  lets  loofe  their  rage  or  rcflrains  them, 
at  his  pleafiire.  The  Aflyrian  monarch  *  was  but 
the  rod  of  divine  anger  ;  the  indignation  of  God  put 
the Jlajf  in  his  hand-,  he  was  f:ni  by  fjeaven  agairiji  an 
hypocritical  nation ^  to  take  the  fpoil^  to  take  the  prey  ; 
tho'  the  tyrant  never  imagined  any  fuch  thing,  but 
only  ainid  to  dejlroy  and  cut  off  nations  not  a  few.  So 
the  Moll  High  gave  Nebuchadnezzar  his  kingdom 
and  majejiy  and  glory  and  honour^  and  bro't  all  people 
into  fubjedion  to  him,  to  anlV'cr  his  own  wile  and 
and  holy  purpcfes.  -(- 

But  when  fuch  an  equitable  conllitution  of  go- 
vernment is  formVi  and  fettled  as  is  plainly  agreeable 
to  the  laws  of  nature,  in  the  beft  manner  lerviiuy  the 
ends  of  fociety ;  when  the  plain  defign  and  tenden- 
cy of  it  is  to  fccure  life,  liberty  and  property,  and 
promote  virtue  and  peace  ;  efpecially  wlicn  it  not 
only  guards  and  enforces  the  religion  of  nature,  Init 
gives  protection  and  encouragement  to  the  cluu  cli 

*  Ifiti.  X.  S--.-JS.  ^  i  Din.  V.  ii,i  .     ot 


I.  f 

i  I 


I 


(    'o   ) 

of  God,  built  upoii  the  more  immediate  revelation 
ofhisv/illj  fuch  a  government  may  be  faid  with 
peculiar  emphafis  to  be  of  God  :  fuch  a  kingdom  is 
conformable  to  the  perfedl  pattern  of  his  fupremc 
dominion,  and  the  King  of  Heaven  muft  be  plcafed 
with  it  in  the  fame  manner  as  he  takes  complacency 
in  the  virtuej  of  individuals,  and  every  thing  copied 
from  his  own  perfedions. 

^  By  the  church  we  are  not  to  underfland  fome  one 
diftindl  form  and  eJlabllJJment  of  religious  fociety  ; 
but  coHedivelythc  whole  body  of  chriflians,  united, 
tho'  in  many  diftindlfocieties,  under  various  particular 
denominations,  in  the  worfhip  of  the  one  true  God 
according  to  the  exprefs  revelation  of  his  will.  Nor 
is  the  church  fo  conneded  in  its  own  nature  with 
the  power  and  profperity  of  any  particular  govern- 
ment, that  it  cannot  ftand  upon  its  own  proper  bafis 
without  the  fupport  of  civil  authority  :  for  we  know 
the  chriftian  church  flourifli'd  andfpread,  in  its  great- 
efl  purity  and  power,  long  before  it  had  the  counte- 
nance of  emperors  and  kings.  Civil  and  religious 
focieties  are  entirely  diflind  in  their  nature  ;  the  or- 
der and  proper  a.  thority  of  the  one  cannot  be  blend- 
ed with  the  order  and  proper  authority  of  fhe  other, 
without  the  greatefl  hazard  of  corrupting  and  weak- 
ening both. 

Yet  the  church  receives  great  advantage  from  a 
well  conftituted  civil  government,  and  the  profperity 
of  the  ftate.  Under  fuch  a  happy  government  it  is 
guarded  againfl  the  rage  of  perfecution  ;  appears 
openly  in  the  worfhip  and  order  of  religious  alTem- 
blies  ;  enjoys  the  benefit  of  public  inftrudlion,  free 
inquiry,  and  undifTembled  profeilion  -,  is  permitted 
to  employ  all  the  artillery  of  the  word  of  God  againit 

the 


n 


velation 
d  with 
^dom  is 
upremc 
plcafed 
lacency 
;  copied 

•me  one 
Society  ; 
united, 
rticular 
le  God 
.  Nor 
re  with 
>overn- 
er  bafis 
2  know 
s  great- 
:ounte- 
^ligious 
the  or- 
blend- 
?  other, 
I  weak- 

from  a 
Dfperity 
snt  it  is 
appears 
aflem- 
1,  free 
rmitted 
again  it 
the 


(  "  ) 

the  devil's  kingdom,  and  ufc  the  heft  means  for  its 
own  inlargement  and  perfedion.  The  church  thus 
built  on  its  proper  foundation,  muft  very  much  de- 
pend on  the  fafety  and  profperity  of  the  kingdom, 
for  it's  own  fecurity  and  welfare  :  if  the  nation  is 
weakened  by  wars,  or  over- run  by  invafions,  the 
enemies  of  the  one  will  probably  be  enemies  to  the 
other,  and  the  church  muft  have  a  great  fhare  in 
the  public  calamities  ;  but  when  the  nation  grows 
ftronger,  and  not  only  maintains  its  ground  but 
multiplies  its  conquefts,  and  becomes  great  and  for- 
midable, religion  ftands  more  fecure,  and  fpreads 
knowlege  and  liberty  farther  and  farther. 

A  kingdom  eftabliflied  upon  fuch  equitable  prin- 
ciples, where  civil  liberty  and  evangelical  religion 
are  encouraged  and  fupported,  ftands  fair  for  the  pe- 
culiar guardianship  of  Heaven.  As  the  hand  of 
God  may  be  feen  in  eredling,  his  providence  will 
be  obfervable  in  defending  and  aggrandizing  it  :  he 
will  make  its  kings  great  and  lionorable  by  his  fpe- 
cial  favor,  and  grant  them  hisjirengtb  andfahation. 

When  good  kings  are  rais'd  up,  who  by  their 
example  and  authority  encourage  piety  and  virtue, 
and  rule  in  the  fear  of  God,  they  are  like  David 
and  Solomon^  dignified  and  protected  by  a  peculiar 
providence,  and  given  as  bleffings  to  their  people 
and  the  church  of  God  :  and  he  will  make  them 
great  on  the  throne,  and  fuccefsful  in  war  ;  they  will 
reign  in  the  hearts  of  their  fubjedts,  and  be  fear'd  and 
honor'd  by  neighbouring  nations.  The  goodnefs  and 
p:)vver  of  God  will  be  as  plainly  vifible  in  their  ad"- 
vancemcnt,  and  the  profperity  which  attends  their 
reign,  as  if  they  had  been  chofen  and  appointed  by 
him  in  the  moft  immediate  extraordinary  manner, 

and 


(12) 

and  gain'd  their  glory  and  magnificence  In  confc- 
qucnce  of  the  moft  exprefs  perfonal  promifes  :  and 
the  people  ought  to  have  a  juft  fenfe  of  this  divine 
goodnefs,  and  cfleem  it  a  great  blefling  to  have  the 
life  and  reign  of  fuch  kings  prolonged. 

This  naturally  brings  on  the  next  remark,    , 

II.  The  long  life  and  profperous  reign  of  a  good 
king  is  a  great  blefling,  and  an  encouragement  to  the 
people  of  God  to  depend  upon  his  continued  care 
of  the  church,  and  the  farther  accomplifhment  of 
his  promifes. 

Foolifh,  irreligious,  and  vicious  princes  are  often 
fent  in  wrath  to  a  people,  as  a  juft  punifhment  of 
their  lins  :  when  they  have  forfaken  God  and  cor- 
rupted themfelves,  he  fuffers  them  to  be  corrupted 
more  and  more  by  the  example  of  their  kings,  per- 
mits their  vices  according  to  their  natural  tendency 
to  infedl  and  weaken  the  government,  diftrad:  their 
councils,  impoverifh  and  lay  them  open  to  the  power 
of  their  enemies  ;  and  fends  his  curfc  upon  them  in 
^U  their  interefts  and  undertakings.  By  a  fucceflion 
of  wicked  kings  Ifrael  was  foon  ripened  for  utter 
ruin  ;  and  the  favor  or  difpleaiure  of  God  toward 
Judah  was  apparent  according  to  the  chara<5ter  of 
the  kings  which  from  time  to  time  reigned  over 
them  :  nor  fliould  we  be  miftakcn  perhaps  in  mak- 
ing the  fame  remarks  upon  the  hiftory  of  our  Eng- 
liJJj  monarchs. 

Not  that  irreligious  princes  are  never  us'd  by  pro- 
vidence as  inftruments  of  doing  fome  real  good  to 
a  nation  :  to  ailert  this  would  be  to* limit  the  wif- 
dom  and  power  of  God,   in  contradidion  to  fcrip- 


of 


n  confc- 
es  :  and 
lis  divine 
have  the 

larkj    . 

fa  good 
nt  to  the 
led  care 
iment  of 

ire  often 
iment  of 
and  cor- 
orrupted 
igs,  per- 
:endency 
ad:  their 
le  power 
them  in 
icceflion 
for  utter 
I  toward 
ad:er  of 
ned  over 
in  mak- 
lur  Eng" 

.  by  pro- 
good  to 
the  wif- 
to  fcrip- 
ige  even 
of 


( 13 ) 

of  the  vices  of  the  great,  their  pride,  ambition,  re-i 
I  venge,  avarice,  or  luft,  tp  accomplifti  his  defigns  for 
i  the  good  of  a  favorite  nation,  and  the  welfare  of  his 
church.  Saul  was  a  felf-will'd,  jealous,  revengeful 
prince  ;  yet  he  introduced  order  among  a  people 
who  had  lived  for  centuries  too  much  at  loofc  from 
government ;  he  perform'd  feveral  worthy  actions, 
and  laid  a  good  foundation  for  a  profperous  king- 
dom. Jehiis  zeal  was  fir'd  chiefly  by  ambition  ; 
yet  he  did  the  work  which  God  commanded,  in 
cutting  off  the  houfe  of  Ahaby  and  deftroying  the 
worfliippers  of  Baal.  The  grand  charter  of  Eng- 
land's liberties  was  obtain'd  of  kings  far  from  the 
beft  of  characflers.  And  a  monarch  whofe  chief  aim 
was  to  gratify  his  luft,  became  the  inftrument  of  our 
deliverance  from  the  pope's  tyranny,  and  the  intro- 
dudion  of  the  moft  valuable  bleffings  of  the  refor- 
mation. 

But  wife  and  virtuous  kings,  whofe  breafts  glow 

with  all  focial  affedlions  ;  who  are  equally  ennobled 

by  great  and  generous  adtions  as  by  royal  blood  j 

who  value  their  high  authority  only  as  a  power  of 

I       doing  the  gre^teft  good  ;  merit  the  warrheft  love  of 

V       their  fubjeds,  and   will  be  honor'd  as  fathers  and 

benefadors,  bleflings  which  Heaven  gives  and  con- 

^        tinues.     Such  amiable  princes  have  appear'd  even 

among  the  heathen,  the  delight  of  their  people,  the 

ftrength  and  glory  of  their  kingdoms.     Such  was 

CyruSy  the  founder  of  the  Pej-Jlan  monarchy,  Ju^ 

dab\  great  deliverer  from  the  captivity  of  Babylon^ 

whofe  name  ftood  honorably  regifter'd  in  one  of  the 

moft  remarkable    prophecies  of  Ijaiab  near   two 

hundred  years  before  the  event  *.    Such  among  the 

was  .fiUgUjiUi.^   WiiOic  rcjgn   vvris 
•  Ifai.  xlv,  glorioufly 


IxOruiifi  ^iiipciurD 


L  1      is 


!   I 


!ll^ 


1   ' 


ill) 


(  U  ) 

glorloufly  diftlnguifh'd  by  the  birth  of  our  Lord  and 
Savior  Jefus  Chrift  within  the  limits  of  his  empire : 
and  after  him,  VefpaJiaU:  Antoninus^  Pius  and  fomc- 
others. 

But  efpecially  when  kings  are  men  of  true  reli- 
gion, fearing  and  giving  glory  to  God  -,  it  is  a  ma- 

ififeft  token  of  the  divine  prefence  with  them, a 

plain  intimation  that  God  defigns  the  greateft  favors 
to  fuch  a  nation.  The  bed  ot  Kings  will  be  im- 
pk)y'd  in  the  moft  eminent  fervices,  anddiftinguifh'd 
by  providence  with  the  greateft  honors^  If  ever 
we  may  depend  upon  remarkable  public  profperity, 
it  is  under  fuch  princes  who  acknowlege  their  de- 
pendence upon  the  fupreme  Majefly  of  Heaven,  and 
afk  counfel  of  God,  in  all  affairs  of  government, 
peace  and  war  ;  who  make  him  their  ftrength  and 
confidence,  honor  his  laws,  obferve  his  providences, 
and  give  him  the  glory  of  their  victories.  What  i» 
too  great  to  be  expedled  under  fuch  a  reign  ?  What 
can  give  greater  joy  to  a  happy  nation  than  to  be- 
hold their  king  governing  with  wifdom,  prudence 
and  jullice ;  aiming,  in  every  thing,  at  the  honor  of 
God  and  their  intereft,  proteded  by  divine  goodnefs, 
and  reigning  profperouily  even  to  old  age. 

Long  life  may  be  confidered  as  a  great  blefling  to 
the  King  himfelf :  for  though  the  life  to  come  is 
infinitely  preferable  to  the  happiefl:  flate  on  earth  ^ 
ti'(\d.  the  honors  of  an  heavenly  kino-dom,  the  never- 
fading  crown  of  glory,  the  true  and  everlafting 
riches,  beyond  all  comparifon  above  earthly  crowns 
and  fceptrcs,  and  the  utmoll  iplendor  of  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  ;  fo  that  cbriflians,  in  the  vigo- 
rous exercife  of  faith,  V7ou\d  (itjire  rather  to  be  abfent 

JtQfil  trJt    Ovi*J  uiiu  ^-t  ijc/ii,   ■Li,Hfj  iLc  IjUI  iiy  CVCii  liiUUVi^ 

they 


L<ord  and 
empire : 
nd  fomc 

rue  rell- 
is  a  ma- 
im,  a 

ft  favors 
be  im- 
aguifh'd 
If  ever 
ofperity, 
leir  de- 
ven,  and 
rnment, 
gth  and 
idences, 
What  i» 
?  What 
1  to  be- 
rudence 
lonor  of 
Dodnefs, 

jfling  to 
come  is 
I  earth  ^ 
3  never- 
irlafting 
crowns 
e  king- 
le  vigo- 
'f  dbfent 

UlUUgii- 

they 


(IS) 

they  had  the  higheft  enjoyments  and  nobleft  prof- 
petds  vi^hlch  earth  can  afford  :  yet  when  our  conti- 
nuance here  may  give  us  a  farther  opportunity  of 
exerciiing  and  improving  the  nobleft  virtues  ;  when 
we  feel  ourfelves  capable  of  doing  yet  greater  fer- 
vice,  and  our  hearts  more  and  more  inlarg'd  widi 
generous  paffions ;  when  it  feems  necefl'ary  wc 
{hould  continue  here  for  the  advantage  of  our  fel- 
low men,  efpecially  of  the  church  j  a  chriftian, 
even  in  the  bcft  frame,  would  afk  life,  though  with 
fubmiflion,  and  entertain  with  pleafure  the  hope  of 
doing  greater  good.     This  is  the  language  of  an 

apoftle,  anxious  for  the  church's  welfare  * I  am 

in  ajlrait  betwixt  two,  having  a  deftre  to  depart  and 
to  be  with  Chriji^  which  is  far  better  :  nen)erthel'efs^ 
to  abide  in  the  jiejh  is  more  needful  for  you  ^  and  having 
this  confidence,  I  know  that  I  jloall  abide  and  contimee 
'with  you  all,  for  your  furtherence  and  joy  offaith» 
In  fuch  a  cafe,  life  is  a  bleffing,  and  the  greater  as  wc 
move  in  a  fphere  of  the  moft  extenlive  ufefulncfs. 

A  good  king  enjoys  the  greater  happinefs  in  life 
in  .proportion  to  his  exalted  dignity  :  He  confiders 
himfelf  as  a  god  to  his  fubjeds  j  and  when  he  re- 
fled:s  upon  his  benevolent  fchcmes  yet  but  imperfed:; 
when  he  views  the  important  ferviccs  which  lie  be- 
fore him  ;  when  he  fees  the  nation  yet  in  an  un- 
fettled  ftate,  and  many  farther  regulations  nccelTary 
which  he  has  fcarcely  had  opportunity  to  attempt, 
religion  and  virtue  demanding  his  patronage,  and 
the  future  peace  and  profperity  of  his  fubjedls  greatly 
depending  upon  the  continuance  of  his  life  3  he  will 
a(k  it  of  God,  and  value  it  as  a  fpecial  favour. 

But  to  his  happy  people  the  long  life  of  a  good 

" ""  cipcuaiiy  a  uicmng.      iney  coniiaei: 

i.  23.- -zc.  hiiii 


•  Phil. 


^.8 


(  i6  } 

him  as  their  guardian,  their  father,  the  minifler  of 
God.  They  fee  the  wifdom  and  equity  of  his  go- 
vernment 5  they  experience  the  falutary  effeds  : 
religion  and  virtue  prevaill  i  their  Hberties  are  guard- 
ed }  every  thing  is  brought  into  order,  and  it  is  put 
more  and  more  out  of  the  power  of  future  princes 
to  opprefs  them  ;  fo  that,  for  their  ow^n  advanfee, 
they  cannot  but  wifh  to  have  his  Hfe  and  reign  be- 
longed. 

Befides  ;  there  are  fome  peculiar  circumftances, 
which  may  add  greater  importance  to  the  life  of  a 
good  king  :  as,  when  there  is  no  certain  fucceffor  ; 
or  none  but  a  minor,   under  tutors  and  governors, 
fo  that  the  adminiflration  may  fall  into  the  hands  of 
ambitious  defigning  men,  contending  among  them- 
felves  for  fuperiority,  and  aiming  more  at  their  own 
private  intereft,  and  the  advancement  of  their  fami- 
lies, than  to  difcharge  their  duty-  to  their  king  and 
country  :— when  the  fituation  of  affairs  is  critical  ^-^ 
when  there  are  inte.dine  broils,  or  foreign  wars  :— - 
when  fuccefsful  plans  of  operation  are  but  juft  ripen- 
ing to  afford  a  comfortable  profped:  of  approachin**- 
tranquillity  :— at  fuch  times  to  have  a  good  king, 
though  advanced  in  years,  taken  away,  may  dilccn- 
cert  all  raeafures,  reverfc  events,  and  throw  all  things 
into  confufion. 

On  the  contrary  :  when,  at  fuch  a  jun^^lure,  his 
life  is  continued  j  when  we  fee  him  furprizingly 
extricated  from  the  greateft  difficulties,  and  fucceis- 
ful  in  his  wars  beyond  our  utmofl  expe(5lations  -, 
when  God  by  him  is  apparently  performing  great 
things  for  his  church,  difappointing* the  defigns,  and 
breaking  the  power  of  the  adverfaries  of  rclij^ion  and 


. . .  .^rf--   - 


iOuii  upon 


'F 


tncie 


linifler  of 
dF  his  go- 
'  effeds  : 
irc  guards 
d  it  is  put 
re  princes 
advance, 
eign  ffro- 

m  fiances, 
5  life  of  a 
liccefTor  ; 
;overnors, 
:  hands  of 
ng  them* 
heir  own 
leir  fami- 
king  and 
:ritical  ;-- 
wars  :— * 
ift  ripen- 
•roachin^ 
od  king, 
V  dilccn*- 
ill  things 

lure,  his 
prizingly 
,  fuccefs- 
5lations ; 
ing  great 
gns,  and 
gion  and 
ok  upoft 
thefe 


(17) 

thefe  things  as  a  prelude  to  farther  favors,  the  be-» 
ginnings  of  thofe  greater  events,  by  which  the 
church  is  to  be  brought  into  a  more  complete  and 
flourifliing  ftate,  and  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  efta- 
blifh'd  through  the  world.  By  thefe  things  our  faith 
is  confirmed,  that  God  will  preferve  and  defend  the 
truth  of  the  gofpcl  in  fuch  a  nation,  ingage  himfelf 
on  their  fide,  and  fupport  his  own  caufc,  till  he  has 
filenced  and  confounded  all  who  oppofe  his  king- 
dom, and  blefTed  all  nations  with  light,  liberty,  and 
peace,  under  the  glorious  king  of  righteoufnefs.  If 
the  antient  people  of  God  were  encouraged,  by  the 
favors  granted  to  the  church  in  David' ^  profperity, 
to  depend  upon  the  full  accompliftiment  of  the  pro- 
mifes,  that  the  church  (hould  be  fecurcd  notwith- 
ftanding  the  mofl:  threatning  appearances,  and  rais'd 
at  length  to  greater  glory  under  the  Meiiiah  ;  we 
alfo  may  be  aiTured  by  all  which  God  has  done  in 
times  paft  for  Protefiants,  and  by  the  wonderful 
tilings  which  he  has  lately  been  doing  for  Great- 
Britain  and  her  allies  againft  a  grand  confederacy  of 
the  antichi4ftian  powers,  that  he  will  continue  his 
care  of  the  reformed  churches,  till  all  the  prophecies 
of  the  new  teflament  againft  myftical  Babylon  are 
accomplifhed,  and  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  be- 
come the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  yefiis 
Chrift,  Our  fathers  have  told  us  what  God  did  for 
them  in  their  day  :  and  now  we  ourfelves  are  wit- 
nefTes  of  his  goodnefs  and  power,  and  are  at  this  time 
rejoicing  in  the  life  of  one  of  the  beft  of  Kings,  and 
the  aftonifliing  fuccefs  with  which,  in  his  old  age, 
his  arms  have  been  blefs'd  :  the  hand  of  God  i^ 
vifible  in  thefe  great  events,  and  it  is  our  duty  to 


c 


J.  iiih  ;a 

agreable 


(  i8  ) 

{,<rreable  to  the  laft  remark  upon  our  text  ;  which  I 
(hall  briefly  illuftrate,  to  make  way  for  a  more  par- 
ticular confideration  of  thoie  extraordinary  circum- 
ftances  which  this  day  fill  our  hearts  with  joy,  and 
demand  our  grateful  praifes  to  God. 

Rem.  III.  When  God  in  his  providence  remark- 
ably defeats  and  fubdues  the  enemies  of  his  kingdom, 
good  men  will  take  peculiar  notice  of  his  power,  and 
give  alory  to  his  name.    .  ,     i     i      i     r 

The  generality  of  perfons  overlook  the  hand  ot 
providence  even  in  the  greatefl  events  ;  they  regard 
not  the  works  of  die  Lord,   nor  the  operations  ot 
his  hands.     As  they  lightly  glance  over  the  ftupen- 
dous  works  of  creation,    and  behold  the  (larry  ikies 
without  obferving  the  incomparable  wifdom  and 
unrivaVd  magnificence  of  that  univerlal  King,   who 
has  f-uead  fuch  a  pavement  under  his  throne  ; .as 
they  behold  the  fun,  reftoring  and  brightening  the 
day,    without  confidering  the  power  and  glory  of 
that  Being  who  kindled  its  blaze,  and  continues  its 
revolutions  5  fo  they  are  equally  inattentive  to  the 
work,  of  providence  :  they  think  of  common  events 
as  things  of  courfe ;  of  events  whofe  caufes  are  more 
fecret,^vvhofe  appearances  are  more  inconftant  and 
irregular,  as  meer  cafualties  -,  of  evils  or  benefits  as 
coniing  merely  from  men  or    nature.     It  they  are 
involved  in  war,  and  things  go  againft  them  ;  it  is 
far  from  their  thoughts  that  the  enemy  may  be  a 
fcourge  in  the  hand  of  God  ;  they  r.eflea  only  upon 
a  weak  or  wicked  miniftry,  bad  officers,  and  the 
like  :  if  they  have  fuccefs,  they  extol  the  generals 
and  the  troops,  commend  the  wifdom  of  the  admi- 
niilration,  and  give  all  the  glory  to  men  =,  regardxe.a 

Q* 


oi 


('9) 

drf  a  fupcrior  Power,  and  thofe  acknowlegements 
wliich  are  due  to  God. 

But  wife  obfervers  will  fee  the  majeftyand  power, 
the  juftice,  difpleafurc,  or  favor  of  the  great  Lord  of 
the  univerfc,  in  all  thefe  things  ;  in  the  moral,  as 
well  as  the  material  fyflcin  ;  in  common,  as  well  as 
extraordinary  appearances  ;  in  all  occurrents,  relat- 
ing to  pcrfons,  families,  or  nations.  Efpccially  in 
the  great  affairs  of  government,  or  war,  they'  fee 
fbme  of  the  plaineft  inflances  of  that  fupreme  do- 
minion which  God  exercifcs  over  all  mankind  :  how 
he  regulates  the  kingdoms  of  this  world,  like  fo 
many  provinces  of  one  general  empire,  under  his 
own  immediate  care  ;  marks  their  bounds  ;  limits 
their  privileges  ;  balances  ihcir  power  j  and  retains 
them  in  fabjedlion.  They  behold  him  judging 
among  the  nations ;  corredling  them  by  one  another, 
and  by  their  own  victs  ;  punifliing  them  for  the 
abufe  of  diftinguifhing  mercies,  by  the  moft  ilgnal 
judgments ;  defending  his  church  when  furrounded 
with  enemies  ;  and  by  his  arm  flrcngthening  the 
hands  of  kinps  who  engnee  in  hiscaufc. 

Such  an  acknowlegemcnt  of  Divine  Providence 
necclTarily  arifes  from  a  proper  belief  of  the  Being 
and  Perfections  of  God  :  the  light  of  nature  teaches 
it  ;  all  religion  requires  it.  If  He  has  no  concern 
cither  with  material  or  rational  beings,  after  giving 
them  laws  of  aftion  agrcable  to  their  natures  ;  but, 
without  any  farther  exertions  of  Will  or  Power, 
leaves  tiiem  to  go  on  intircly  of  themfelves  ;  what 
do  we  make  of  God  more  tlian  an  idle  fpcdator  ? 
lii  fuch  a  fytlcm,  Pic  feems  to  be  introduced  only 
to  five  tiie  abfurdity  of  an  infinity  of  caufes,  or  the 
eternity  of  the  v/orkl  :  and  when  we  have  made  uie 

'    -    •  of 


[i  i 


(    20   ) 

of  his  name  to  give  the  firll  birth  to  things,  we  lay 
it  afide  again,  as  if  he  were  no  more  of  any  impor- 

tiince 

How  widely  different  is  this  from  the  religion 
taught  in  the  facred  Scriptures  !  The  Great  God 
reveals  himfelf  in  his  word,  not  only  as  the  Creator, 
but  the  Governor  and  Difpofer  of  all  things.  In 
this-majeftic  language  He  fpeaks  of  his  perpetual 
univerfal  providence—  *  J  form  the  light,  and  create 

darknejs ;  I  make  peace,  and  create  evtl. f  Iktll, 

and  I  make  alive  j  /  wound,  and  I  heal,- —  +  My 
counfelfialljland,  and  I  will  do  all  my  pleafure. 
There  we  find  the  faints,  in  all  ages,  contefTing  a 
continual  Divine  agency  ;  looking  to  God  for  direc- 
tion and  profperity  in  all  thezr  ways  j  obferving  his 
providpncial  government  ;  adoring  his  wifdom  and 
juftice  ;  and  praifing  him  for  his  mighty  ads,  and 
unbounded  goodnefs. 

As  there  are,  in  nature,  fome  rare  and  furpnzing 
phenomina,  to  awaken  the  attention  of  mankind, 
and  fix  upon  their  minds  a  deeper  convidion  of  the 
Being  and  Perfedions  of  God  :  fo,  in  the  courfe  of 
providence,  there  are  great  and  remarkable  events, 
defigned  as  more  ^riking  evidences  of  the  Divine 
government,  to  continue  and  increafe  in  the  world  a 
leverencial  regard  to  his  fupremeMajcfty  and  autho- 
rity.    It  is  moil  rcafonable  to  fuppofe  that  this  is  the 
principal  point  in  which  they  centre,  to  promote 
religion  and  moral  virtue  :  'and  it  is  obfervable  in 
fad,  that  -by  many  extraordinary  .and  miraculous 
providences  j  by  plagues,  and  famines  ;  by  wars, 
and  defolations  j  by  the  rife  and   fall  of  empires  ; 
and  by  continual  changes  in  the  afiairs  of  nationr 
s  been  carrvin^  on  one  uniform  deiir" 


God 


:arryinj 


*  Ifai.  xlv.  7.      t  J^«"t-  ^x^"'  39-      t  i^"  *'^^^'  *°* 


anc 


( 2i ) 

age  to  age,  to  purify,  enlarge  and  perfe^  his  church, 
till  all  things  (hall  be  prepared  for  the  diflfolution  of 
this  prcivnt  fyftem,  and  the  introdudion  ot  a  more 
glorious  h-<ppy  flate. 

Therefjre  Good  Men,   when  they  are  rejoicing 
in  any  public  profperity,  particularly  in  the  fucceffes 
of  war,   will  give  honor  to  men,  as  inftruments  by 
whom  fuch  great  things  are  done  for  them  >  but 
they  will  give  glory  to  God  above  all,  whofe  inftru- 
ments they  are.     They  will  obferve  how  he  glorifies 
himfelf  and  carries  on  his  defigns  in  favor  of  truth 
and  righteoufnefs  ;  how  wonderfully  he  appears  at 
one  time  and  another  for  the  fupport  and   defence 
of  true  religion  ;    how  remarkably  he  difappoints 
it's  adverfaries,  even  when  they  grow  moft  confident 
of  fuccefs,  and  takes  them   in  their  own  craftinefs. 
They  will  take  notice,  by  what  furprizing  turns  of 
providence   the  defigns  form'd  againft  truth  and 
liberty,   and  to  introduce  and  propagate  ignorance, 
fuperftition  and  flavery,  are  blafted  and  overthrown, 
and  that. very  mifchief  brought  upon   the   wicked 
projeaors    which   they   meditated   againft   others. 
They  behold  the  King  of  Heaven,  in  thefe  things,, 
accomplifliing  his  own  purpofes,    notwithftanding 
the  oppofition  and  rage  of  Earth  and  Hell ;  fulfilling 
hispromifes;    magnifying   his  power  and    wrath 
againfl  his  enemies  ;    and   diftinguiHiing,    by  his 
wonderful  goodncfs  thofe  who  place  their  truft  in 
^'^"'  ^,^^^^^^"  f"ch  things  as  thefc  are  vifible  in  our 
fuccelTcs,  it  is  juitly  exp'eded  we  fliould  take  notice 
of  them,  and  give  glory  to    .,  i,  as  exalting  himfelf 
in  his  own  iflrength. 

Chriftians  may  triumph  in  the  vlftories  of  war  ; 
Out  not  as  the  heathen,  who  ihout  a;   "    " 


age 


give 


to 


■  (    22    ) 

to  their  idols  with  frantic  noife,  nnd  bruitini  fenfu-. 
ality  :  the  jo}/  ofchnjiiafis  ought  to  be  more  ration- 
al, temneraV,  and  noble,  fpringing  from  a  proper 
fenfc  ot  the  benefits  recciv'd,  and  exciting  religious 
iJentiments  and  affcdions.  They  ought  to  rejoice 
and  give  glory  to  God  ;  to  alcribe  to  him  all  the 
ndvant.ige's  tlicy  have  gained  ;  and  praife  him  for 
fuch  public  bledings,  and  the  profperity  of  Sion. 
By  this  joy  they  will  find  their  knowlege,  love,  and 
reverence  of  God  incrcaling,  and  their  faith  and  con- 
fidence in  him  more  and  more  Arengthned. 

But  it  is  high  time  to  pafb  from  generals  to  a  more 
particular  application  of  the  fubjedl. 

Therefore  to  bring  thefe  things  home  to  ourfelves 
In  the  firfl  place.  We  have  reafon  to  ackiioiv- 
lege  the  glory  of  cur  Britifh  Monarchs  as  a  peculiar 
fan.ior  of  God.  He  has  placed  Great-Britain  among 
the  moll  confiderable  powers  in  Europe,  and  made 
her  kings  rich  and  honorable,  fo  that  they  may  vie 
with  the  greateft  abfolute  mcnarrhs.  Tyrants  have 
the  command  of  their  people's  purfes,  yet  they  often 
find  themfelvcs  poor  j  they  are  dcfpotic,  but  hated  :. 
but  the  kings  of  England  have  the  affedions  of  a 
free  people ";  they  are  rich  in  the  national  wealth, 
which  is  freely  granted  whenever  it  is  neccflary  ; 
and  their  authority  is  obeyed  with  pleafure,  \vith  the 
iirmeil  loyaltv,  while  they  r^-lbrve  to  the  conflitution, 
and  love  their  fubjecls.  Never  did  any  nation  more 
licartily  abhor  tyrants,  or  oppofc  with  greater  refo- 
lution  inch  flrctchcs  of  authority  as  are  inconfiftent 
with  the  natural  rights  of  mankind  :  but  no  where 
can  be  f  Mind  a  more  loyal  people  while  their  princes 
obfervc  the  proper  bounds  of  power,  and  aim  to  be 
benefactors.     Every  good  king,   crown'd  according 

to 


(23    ) 

to  the  fettled  laws  of  the  realm,  we  revere  as  God's 
rcprefentcitivc,  equally  as  if  he  could  pie;  i  a  divine 
right,  in  a  fuccdiion  efhblifliccj  by  Heave 

The  liberties  of  Grcat-br'uain,  and  her  p.ofperity, 
have  been  remarkably  favorable   to  the  church  of 
Ch/ift:  :  for  true  chrillianity,   the   religion  of  Pro- 
teflants,  is  infcparably  connedcd  witliYree  inquiry, 
coiwiaion,    and  profcllion.     Where  thefe  are  ol>. 
ftruded,  though  it  may  funport  itfclf  under  difcou- 
ragemcnts  and  perfecutions,   among  a  happy  few, 
whole  minds,  by  divine  gr.icc,aj'e  taught  to  reverence 
the  truth,  and  obey  God  rather  than  men  ;  yet  the 
church  of  Chrifl  can  have  no  firm  footing  in  fucli  a 
nation;  it  will  be  like  a  ftran^^er,   difcountenai  w'd^ 
opprels'd,   and  denied  any  fettled  refidcnce  amont?: 
them.     As  Tyranny,   once   eftablifh'd,    commonly 
extends  it's  infolence  to  blind  and  curtail  men's  un- 
derftandings,  and  determine  what  they  /hall  believe, 
and  how  they  fhall  worfliip  ;  it  muil  either  be  taken 
avvay  firft,  in  order  to  the  introdudion  of  true  chrifti- 
anity  ;  or  ejfe  if  protectant  principles  Ihould  gradu- 
ally enter  and   gain  ground,    by  feme   remarkable 
condud:  of  providence,  they   will  efledually  coun- 
terwork, weaken,   and  deilroy  fuch  tyranny,  and 
*-2llore  both  civil  and  religious  liberty.     Thus  tha:t 
Ipirit  of  liberty  which  has  appcar'd  from  the  firli 
foundation  of  the  Britijh  empire,,  and  fo  often  ex- 
erted itfelf,   notwithlianding  the  encliantments  and 
chains  of  po|.>ery,  prov'd  very  friendly  to  the  refor- 
mation ;  and   die  ellablifhment  of  the   proteftar.t 
religion  has,  on  die  other  hand,  greatly  fecured  and 
inlarg'd  our  liberties. 

Divine  Providence  has  feem'd  to  point  out  Bn fain, 
from  the  beginning,  as  a  favorite  n 


to 


ailOiJj    tO   iiiUivv  iC 


(   24   ) 

a  pattern  to  othe;  kingdoms  of  the  mof^  .clonal  and 
equitable  government  j  to  fhow  how  wealth,  and 
power  are  connedted  with  freedom,  and  to  prepare 
the  way  for  her  enjoying  a  remarkable  fhare  in  the 
bleflings  of  knowlege  and  true  religion.  The  Great 
Lord  of  the  world  commonly  performs  the  deligns 
of  his  providence,  not  by  immediate  exertions  of 
almighty  power,  but  by  means  fuited  to  the  geners! 
conftitution  and  courfe  of  things.  Therefore  ay 
Antichrifl  had  ingaged  on  his  fide  the  policy  and 
arms  of  the  greatefl  empires  in  Europe  to  crufh  the 
Reformation  -,  it  was  necelTary  that  fome  earthly 
powers  fhould  be  rais'd  up  to  encourage  and  defend 
it.  For  this  end,  from  fmall  and  confufed  begin- 
nings, by  wonderful  fteps,  through  many  flrange 
I'evolutions,  God  flrengthened  and  aggrandized  the 
Englijld  nation,  increas'd  knowlege  and  liberty  among 
them,  and  made  them  the  eavy  and  terror  of  their 
neighbours,  fo  that  they  became  the  flrength  and 
glory  of  the  reformed  churches. 

The  Roman-catholic  powers  confider'd  England 
as  the  grand  fupport  of  the  northern  herefy,  as  they 
term'd  the  Reformation  :  therefore  they  tried  their 
utmoft  efforts,  either  to  conquer,  or  reduce  it  under 
the  Papal  yoke.  But  He  that  fits  in  the  Heavens 
derided  them,  and  defeated  all  their  attempts  :  in 
vain  they  formed  flrong confederacies;  in  vain  they 
f  tted  out  the  moft  formidable  Armadas  * ;  in  vain 
did  Hell  fuggeft  and  carry  on  a  fchcme  to  burfl  its 
fire  from  beneath,  and  deflroy  at  one  blow  all  the 
Princes  and  Senators  of  the  nation  -f-  :  neither  po- 
licy nor  arms  availed  to  fubdue  Great -Britain^  or 
loot  out  the  pioteftant  religion. 


rrtl.  _ 


b 


*  The  Spaniards  in  Queen  EUzaheth^i  Reign, 
h  Tiie  Gun  powder  Plot  in  the  Reign  of  '^ama  I. 


a;* 


rrt|_  _ 

l  lie 


(25) 

The  moft  refined  policy  of  Rome,  was  to  debaucH 
and  infatuate  our  Kings  themfelves  *  to  purchafeof 
them  the  religion  and  liberties  of  theii  fubicas  and 
fo  make  us  again  a  province  of  the  papacy:'  but 
rtiis  was  wonderfully  over-rul'd,  by  Him  who  con- 
founds  the  wifdom  of  the  wife,  and  takes  them  in 
their  own  craftinefs,  for  the  more  efFeaualfecurity  of 
UiQ  nation  from  all  future  attempts  of  that  nature  * 

WT?'?  t"".".^^  ^^^^  ^^^"^"^  Revolution  under  Kin^ 
WILLIAM,  and  thofe  parliamentary  ads,  by  which 
ail  Fapifts  were  forever   bar'd  from  the   Brim 
throne,  and  the  fucceffion  was  fettled  in  the  protef. 
tant  line  of  the  prefent  iUuftrious  houfe  oi Hanover. 
1  hus  the  nation  has  been  guarded  fmm  time  to 
temeby  the  peculiar  care  of  Heaven,  defbnded  by 
almolt  miraculous  providences,   and  religion  and 
liberty,  arts  and  fciences,  hufbandry,  trade  and  ma- 
nutadtures  have  been  increaiing  and  flourilhing  to- 
gether     We  have  been  growing  greater  and  more 
felpeftable  among  the  fow^r .  of  Europe  y  we  Iiave 
i^l'l  ^,^^ejo  claim  the Sovereignty  of  the  fcas,  and 
aoid  the  ballance  on  the  continent. 

Who,  that  attentively  confiders  fuch  a  feries  of 
remarkable  events,  relating  to  a  nation  where  liberty 
and  truth  have  found  the  greatcft  encouragement 
and  fupport,  can  overlook  the  Divine  hand  lb  mani- 
telt  in  them  ?  The  wonderful  works  of  God  ought 
to  be  remembred  from  generation  to  generation 
as  «ften  as  we  read  of  the  great  things  which  he  hai 
done  for  our  Fathers  j  efpecially  when  we  behold' 
his  ads  of  power  and  goodnefs  repeated  in  our  own 
day ;  our  fouls  fhould  be  filfd  with  irefh  admiration 
and  renew  tlieir  fongs  of  praife  and  gratitude. 

•  In  the  fucccedlng  reigns. 


D 


Let 


II 


Mi 


( 26 ) 

Let  us  tlisrefore  now  nio'e  particularly  obfervc 
tbe  wonderful goodnrfs  of  Cod  :o  m,  in  prolonging  the 
Life  and  Reign  of  our  mft  gr adorn  Sovereign^  his 
facred  Majefty  King  GEORGE  IL  to  com- 
pleat  this  day  the  fevcnty-fixth  year  of  his  age,  and 
in  crowning  his  arms  ©f  late  with  the  moft  glorious 
fuccefs,  by  fea  and  land,  in  all  quarters  of  the  world, 
elpecially  in  America. 

It  is  difficult  to  fpeak  very  particularly  of  the  re- 
ligious charader  of  Kings  j  and  the  more  fo,  at  fuch 
a  diftance  ;  their  piety  muft  exceed  that  of  common 
chriftians  in  proportion  to  their  greater  temptations, 
and  more  illuftrious  and  extenfive  fphere  of  ad:ion, 
or  it  cannot  be  conxpicuous.  Flattery  often  covers 
the  greatefl  deformities,  compliments  even  the  vices 
of  Princes,  and  paints  them  in  thofe  ornaments  of 
grace  which  they  never  wore  -,  the  greatefl  monflers 
of  wickednefs  have  fome  times  been  fainted,  and 
even  deify 'd.  It  is  rare  to  fee  a  David  or  a  Solomon 
fhining  on  the  throne  in  all  the  excellencies  oi  the 
greatefl  Kings  and  real  Saints.  But  we  never  had 
more  reafon  to  fpeak  well  of  any  King  of  Greats 
Britain,  than  bfhis  prefent  Majefly.  He  has  always 
'adled  as  under  a  proper  fenfe  of  his  dependance  upoa 
God  ;  concern'd  to  approve  himfelf  to  his  Mafler 
in  Heaven  j  aiming  to  promote  juflice  and  virtue, 
love  and  peace,  in  the  nation,  and  fecure  to  his  fub- 
je(fts  their  civil  rights,  and  the  mofl  valuable  liberty 
of  confcience.  He  has  never  attempted  to  deprive 
his  people  of  any  of  their  privileges ;  the  fpirit  of 
his  reign  has  been  the  moil  oppolitc'to  every  degree 
of  tyranny  and  opprefHon  ;  and  it  is  no  inconfider- 
able  part  of  the  glory  of  it,  that  he  never  would 
iuiier  any  of  thg  fcveraidengminationiof  chriilians. 


obfervc 
'wg  the 
^n,  his 
o  com- 
ge,  and 
glorious 
;  world, 

the  re- 

at  fuch 

Dmmon 

)tations, 

"  a<-lion, 

covers 

le  vices 

icnts  of 

lonflers 

;d,   and 

Solomon 

of  the 

i^er  had 

Great" 

always 

:e  upon 

Mafter 

virtue, 

lis  fub- 

liberty 

deprive 

pirit  of 

degree 

mfider- 

would 

riiiians, 

iu 


(27) 

in  his  dominions,  to  he  compcll'd  to  -ovdm  God 
contrary  to  the  real  fr-e  perfwnfion  of  their  nwtt 
minds.  Vv^iatever  mifcondua:  may  have  been 
chargeable  upon  any  of  his  Miniftcrs  ;  if  it  fl^ould 
be  fuppofed  that  they  have  ever  carried  on  fchemes 
tending  to  undermine  the  liberties  of  the  nation  j  for 
the  bell  of  Kings  may  be  deceived  in  the  pcrfons 
whom  they  entrull  with  power,  ^nd  fcrvanis,  we 
know,  are  often  mere  hmghty  md  imperious  than 
their  mailers  ;  our  benevolent  Sovereign  never  r^avc 
his  pcopie  the  lenft;  caufe  of  complaint  on  this  fcore. 
He  iinr  a  ways  contented  himfelf  with  that  authority 
which  belongs  to  him  by  the  conflitution  and  laws 
of  ti.e  nation  ;  he  has  aded  as  the  Guardian  and 
i;atheroI  his  people  ;  He  has  reign'd  in  their  affec- 
tions  ^  ana  his  rei^n  will  forever  be  diftin?ui(li'd  as 
one  oi  the  longefl  aiidhappieil  in  the^r////Z^Annals  * 

*  The  Earcn  de  PoUnltx  m  Lis  Memoirs  publifli'd  above  twenty 
ycnrsago,  ha.i  a  remark iblr  par:gr«ph.  which  I  cannot  forbear  tran- 
ir-^^'r'^'''^  .  y  ^f^*"'"^  '^  contains  the  cherafter  of  his  prcfcrit 
M.jeily  fip^iy  drawn  by  a  iorcign  Nobleman,  but  is  almoft  prcpUtic 
with  rc.pca  to  t^e  continuance  of  his  reign  -  — 

*•  The  prcieut  King  is  net  tall,  but  very  well  fli.pM  ;  has  a  ftately 
porr,avcrygr.vccomcnaro.,  and  fpcaks  little,  but  with  great  pri 
priety.  Tnc  French,  tvghfi^  an  J  he  Italinn  largu^ges  are  as  familiar 
10  liim  as  the  German  lie  reads  a  vail  dc=1,  and  knows  more  than 
mcll  do  who  weur  U.e  Kuyai  Diadem.  Bcirg  not  pufTed  up  with 
pageantry  and  vam  grandeur,  i.e  docj  not  ;uvc  into  fupcifluous  mag- 
mhcrnce,  but  is  an  ceconomia  without  avarice  ;  liberal  without  being 
r-ofu'c  ;  an  enemy  to  vice,  «nd  a  friend  to  virtue  ;  fober  and  regular 
m  his  wavs  and  manne.s ;  of  a  lively  temper,  fall  of  fpirit  and  am- 
tv^'on,  but  fubmininR  borh  the  one  and  the  other  to  reafon.  H-  is 
8itr.v  and  laborious,  undeill.r.rfs  afFdrs,  h«s  a  quick  apprchcnfion,  and 

a  wonaerful  memory Hij  p- opie  arc  happy  under  his  reign.     Tn 

Lvgland,  l.is  only  liu.ly  is  to  maint-iinthe  peace  and  bailancc  ot  Europe, 
to  make  commerce  flourifli.  and  to  render  the  nation  one  of  the  moft 
powerful  m  the  world.  At //^mrr,  he  endeavours,  by  good  offices 
to  h,s  Tubj  as  tlicre,  to  alleviaie  tlidr  forrow  for  his  abfence.  He  has 
not  made  anymifcrabrc  ilncc  he  bcrun  his  reign  ;  and  if  the  bleOh'".^  of 
the  p,.opie  hUp  io  prolong  the  dtys  of  their  Kings,  hn  Britannic  M-jjettV 
may  hope  for  one  of  (he  /ongrft  of  Reigns,   Poiln.Mem.  Vol2d.P.445. 


1 1 


ii  i 


fill  I 


(  28  ) 

'  If  wc  conMcrfbe  latefituation  of  our  public  affairs] 
we  muft  be  convinc  d  that  the  continuance  of  our 
good  King's  life  was  of  the  greateft  iinportanx;e,  and 
ought  to  be  efteem'd  a  peculiar  favor  of  divine  pro- 
vidence. But  a  little  while  ago,  the  nation  appear'd 
in  a  moft  critical  dangerous  ftate.  We  were  un- 
avoidably involv'd  in  a  difficult  expenfive  war.  Be- 
iides  the  daily  bold  encroachments  of  the  French 
upon  thefe  American  Colonies,  France  and  Aujiria 
had  enter'd  into  a  deep  confpiracy  againft  Hanover 
and  PruJ/iay  and  aim'd  at  nothing  lefs  in  the  end  than 
an  intire  extirpation  of  the  proteflant  religion.  It 
was  plainly  neceffary  for  us  to  form  fome  alliance 
on  the  continent  oi Europe  ;  and  we  were  naturally 
led  to  unite  with  his  PruJJian  Majejiy  in  a  defenfive 
and  ofFenfive  treaty.  But  againft  PruJJia  the  greateft 
powers  in  Europe  were  confederate  :  France  and 
AuJlria,  the  Empire,  the  King  oi  Poland  as  EMor 
of  Saxony,  Rujjia  and  Sweden,  were  colleding  their 
forces  to  furround  and  aflault  him  on  all  fides  with 
mighty  armies :  confident  that  they  fliould  make 
fliort  work  with  him,  they  had  already,  in  imagina- 
tron,  made  a  divifion  of  his  dominions  among  them* 
felves.  And  though  by  his  unparallel'd  military 
genius,  and  timely  rcfolution,  he  very  much  difcon- 
certed  their  meafures,  and  early  gain'd  great  advan- 
tages 5  yet  there  was  the  utmoft  danger  of  his  being 
overpower'd  with  numbers,  and  ruin'd  in  the  end. 
On  our  part,  the  fuccefs  of  the  war,  for  fome  time 
after  it  began,  was  far  from  anfwering  our  fanguine 
exped:ations .  E?/gIand  was  bullied  with  a  threatned 
invafion,  and  thought  herfelf  oblig'd  to  fend  over  to 
Germany  for  feveral  thoufiind  troops  for  her  own 

rriiiiy  jLfUfiLC    WUO    picpuilfig  iO  UrJKe  lilC 

firft 


UWV 


and 


end. 
time 


firfl 


f  29  ) 

ilrft  blow  upon  Minorca,     Our  Navy  was  fnadllve^ 
or  imployed  to  little  purpofe.     The  French  gained 
faft  upon  us  in  captures  by  fea,  and  diftrefs'd  our 
trade,  in  the  channel,  in  the  Weft-Indies,  and  alone 
the  coaft  oi  Africa  :  their  Fleets  efcap'd  our  vigi- 
lance betorc  their  ports,  and  prevented  our  defigna 
abroad,  by  leafonable  aids  where  they  were  moft  in 
danger.     Our  army  of  obfervation  in  Germany,  un- 
der  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,   was  reduced  to  the 
neceffity  of  capitulating  with  the  French  General 
and  delivering  Hanover  into  his  hands.     Our  ex' 
penfive  armaments  at  Home  efFe<fled  nothing.     In 
North- America  we  met  with   almoft  continual  dif- 
appointments  :    notwithftanding  the  large  fuppliea 
granted  by  parliament  for  profecuting  the  war  here 
with  vigor,  the  numbers  of  troops  fcnt  over  to  our 
affiftance,  and  the  cheerfulnefs  with  which  the  pro- 
vincial forces  were  rais'd,  and  forwarded,  the  enemy 
gain'd  ground  from  year  to  year,  and  our  colonies 
were  in  danger  of  being  brought  into  the  utmoft 
diltrels,  if  not  mtirely  wrefted  from  us. 

All  thefe  things  together  rais'd  loud  clamors  In 
the  nation  ;  who  look'd  upon  themfelves  as  on  the 
brink  of  ruin  ;  and  complain'd  of  corruptions  in  the 
Itate,  ^nd  public  vices,  as  the  real  caufes  of  all  their 
difappointments,  more  threatning  than  the  whole 
power  of  the  enemy.     Difcontent  and  fadion  pre- 
vailed ;  remonftrances  were  daily  prefented  to  his 
Majefty ;  who  plainly  found  his  wifeft  counfels  em- 
barrafs'd,  and  every  thing  appearing  either  to  be 
mifmanaged,   or  unfortunately  to  go  wrong.     He 
felt  the  moft  tender  paternal  concern  for  his  fubjedsi 
he  heard  their  complaints ;  and  was  defirous  of . era-   • 
iiiym^  them,  as  far  as  might  be  coafiilent  with'the 

honor 


h 


(  30  ) 

honor  and  true  welfare  of  his  government :  but  It 
was  a  work  of  no  fmall  difficulty  to  find  out  the 
true  fource,  and  apply  a  proper  remedy  to  thefe 
evils  ;  for  if  the  complaints  of  the  people  were  upoit 
juft  grounds,  fuch  an  entire  reformation  as  they  de- 
iir'd  could  not  be  efFeded  without  danger  of  grcateir 
convulfons. — 

Now  at  fuch  a  jundure,  had  God,  in  righteous 
anger,  taken  from  us  our  wife  and  good  Sovereign* 
how  unhappy  and  even  fatal  might  have  been  the 
confequences  I  The  prefent  illuflrious  Prince  of 
Wales  was  not  ripe  to  manage  the  national  affairs  by 
his  own  judgment :  his  youth  might  have  laid  him* 
open  to  the  artful  defigns  of  corrupt  politicians  j 
who  to  gratify  their  own  ambition,  and  fatiate  their 
avarice,  would  have  facrificed  all  the  inferefts  of  th6 
nation.  As  things  were  circumftanced,  many  refo- 
lute  fteps  were  neceflary,  which  none  but  a  jieadi 
experienced  King  could  eafily  have  ventured  uponi 
Great  oppofition  might  be  expedted  ;  fierce  Ci  pten- 
tions  would  naturally  arifc  ;  and  while  the  ji..  ^mg 
parties  were  difputing,  and  counterworking  each 
other,  our  enemies  might  have  made  great  advan- 
tage of  fuch  an  unfettled  flate,  our  ftrength  might 
foon  have  been  exhaufted,  the  colonies  lofi,  and  the 
kingdom  feized  upon  and  made  a  province  of 
France* 

But  how  remarkably  has  the  kind  providence  of 
God  prevented  all  fuch  fears,  by  prolonging  the  life 
of  our  gracious  Sovereign  -,  who  in  his  old  age  re- 
tains the  wifdom,  fpirit,  and  refolution  of  a  King, 
and  the  moll  earneft  follicitude  for  the  happinefs  of 
his  fubjedls.  With  the  moft  condefcending  good- 
nefs  He  has  liftened  from  the  throne  to  their  petiti- 
ons, 


(31  )' 

€ns,  and  raifcd  to  the  moft  honorable  and  important 

truft  the  very  Minifter  whom  they  requeued  ; A 

Minifter  whofc  wifdom,  honefly,  and  courage  are 
equal  to  the  exalted,  but  difficult  place,  which  he 
fills.  The  defired  reformation  has  already  proceed- 
ed very  far  ;  the  whole  face  of  affairs  now  appears 
happily  changed  ;  and  things  are  brought  into  the 
moil  promifmg  fituation.  The  excellent  Mr.  Pitt 
has  conduced  every  thing  relating  to  the  war  with 
confummate  prudence,  unexceptionable  fidelity,  and 
inceflant  application,  and  has  been  honored  of  GOD 
Vfith  aftoniihing  fuccefs.  May  he  more  and  more 
recommend  himfelftotheefteem  of  his  Royal  Ma- 
fter,  the  affedions  of  the  Heir  apparent,  and  the 
whole  nation,  by  his  faithful  fervices  y  and  be  im- 
powered  and  encouraged,  together  with  all  thofe 
honorable  perfons  who  are  with  him  in  the  work,  to 
accomplifli  his  generous  fcbemcs,  for  the  dignity 
ef  the  Crown,  and  the  profperity  of  Britain, 

It  is  a  happy  circumftance,  which  ought  not  to  bo 
overlook'd,  that  his  Royal  Highnefs  the  Prince  of 
Wales  has  had  the  advantage  of  obferving  the  pail 
and  prefent  condud:  of  affairs,  in  fo  critical  a  feafon. 
He  has  {qqw  the  confequents  of  public  vices,  and 
that  policy  whofe  bafis  is  felf-intercft. — He  has  feen 
the  nation  ready  to  fink  under  thefe  evils  ;  but  re- 
covered before  he  is  called  to  afcend  the  throne. — 
He  has  feen  the  advantage  of  Royal  condefcention  ; 
the  wonderful  change  effeded  by  a  faithful  Mini- 
fier  and  honeft  politics;  with  what  prudence,  peace, 
and  order,  all  things  are  manag'd  ;  how  fuccefsfully 
our  fleets  and  armies  are  employed  j  and  with  what 
union,^cheerfulners,  and  zeal  the  nation  bears  the 
heavieil  expences  of  war.     He   is  now  arrived  at 

maturity. 


(  32  ) 

maturitj^  and  is  ripened  for  government,  whenevei 
providence  may  call  him  to  take  the  Sceptre  in  his 
hand.  He  has  had  the  befl  advantages  of  educati- 
on j  is  well  accomplifli'd  vy^ith  princely  virtues,  and,  if 
we  may  depend  upon  credible  information,  breathes 
already  fomething  of  that  genuine  fpiritof  chriftianity 
which  appcar'd  in  his  late  excellent  Father,  and  ftill 
adorns  his  illuftrious  Mother  j  which  will  more 
cfFedually  guard  him  againft  the  temptations  of 
youth,  and  infpire  him  with  the  nobleft  fentiments 
and  views. 

On  all  the  foregoing  con  fide  rations  we  ought  to 
efteem  it  a  great  blefTing,  that  his  Majefty's  mofl 
valuable  life  has  been  continued. —  He  is  happy  in 
that  he  has  liv'd  fo  long  to  enjoy  the  fatisfadion  of 
doing  good  to  his  people,  according  to  the  defires  of 
his  large  and  generous  heart. —  He  is  happy  in  the 
conflant  love  of  his  fubjedls  : — Happy  in  die  conti- 
nued profperity  of  his  kingdom  : —  Happy  in  be-* 
holding  the  numerous  fpreading  Branches  of  his 
Royal  Family,  and  an  amiable  worthy  Grandfon 
ready  to  fill  his  place,  whenever  he  fhall  exchange 
his  earthly  honors  for  an  unfading  eternal  Crown  of 
Glory  :— Happy  that  he  has  liv'd  to  fee  the  admi^ 
niftration  fo  well  fettled,  and  univerfal  fatisfadion 
and  joy  exprefled  in  every  countenance  i  that  he  has 
liv'd  one  year  more  to  rejoice  with  the  nation  in  the 
furprizing  progrefs  of  his  vidorious  arms,  while  old 
and  young  are  repeating  their  triumphs,  giving  glory 
to  God,  and  blefTing  their  King.  Doubtlefs  he  is 
ready  to  aflame  David's  language  and  fing  in  con- 
cert with  him,  and  all  who  love  the  profperity  of 
Zion,  T/je  King  JJja/l  joy  in  thy  Strengtb^  &c. 


But 


But 


{  33  ) 

But  we,  in  thefe  American  Cclonies,  are  more  efpe- 
cially  interefted  in  thefe  late  fignal  finiles  of  Provi- 
dence.    We  have  km  a  moft  happy  change  in  the 
face  of  our  affairs  here  :  and  we  fhall  be  guilty  of 
the  moft  inexcufable  ingratitude,  if  we  are  not  fen- 
fible  of  God's  hand  in  the  great  things  which  have 
been  done  for  us.     We  have  peculiar  reafon  to  ap- 
ply the  words  of  our  text,  and  fay—  They  intended 
evilagatnfl  thee,  O  Lord  !  againjt  thy  Churches  here  ; 
they  imagined  a  mifchievous  device  nvhich   they  were 
fiot  able  to  perform :  thou  hafi  made  them  to  turn  their 
bach  ;   thou  hafl  made  ready  thine  arrcws  upon  thy 
firings,  and  difcharged  them  in  their  faces. 

Though  kft  of  dominion,  doubtlefs,  has  been  one 
caufe  of  the  conftant  enmity  of  France  againft  En- 
gland, and  againft  us  ;    yet  the  old   enmity  of  the 
Beafi  zndfalfe  Prophet  againft  Chrift  and  his  faith- 
ful Spoufe,  the  malice  of  the  Romifi  Clergy  againft: 
Profeftants,  EngliJI^  Proteftajjts  more  efpecially,  has 
inflamed  their  rage  higher,  given  a  greater  fpringto 
their  motions,  and  led  them  to  aim  not  only  to  fub- 
dae  us,  but  entirely  to  root  out  the  Heretics   from 
thefe  Provinces.     The  Scheme  which  they  laid  ma^ 
ny  years  ago,  and  which  they  have  been  endeavour- 
ing gradually  to  ripen  and  accomplifli,   is  now  well 
known  :  they  have  been  ftretching  their  fettlements 
along  behind  us  ;  building  forts  a't  every  advantage- 
ous Pafs  3  increafing  their  trade  and  ftiipping  at  home, 
that  they  might  be  a  match  for  Britain  by  fea ;  fend- 
ing over  foldiers  to  America  ;  and  ufing  all  poffible 
methods  to   gain  over  all  the  Indians  on  thisconti-. 
nent  to  their  intereft.     By  the  fuccefs  of  the  forces 
oi  New-England  ^g2\xi^  Lou'tJbourg^\  under  the  late 

*  In  the  year  1745. 

E  lionorable 


(  34) 

honorable  Sir  William  Pfpperrell,  in  the  laft 
war,  and  the  fettling  of  Halifax,  the  French  were 
alarm'd  with  apprehcnfions  ct  ^  iir  growing  flrength, 
and  thought  it  high  time  to  check  our  fpreading 
fettlements,  and  confine  us  to  the  limits  which  they 
had  marked  out  for  us,  'till  they  were  prepared  to 
difpate  the  whole.  Thev  made  Pence  principally 
with  this  vieWjthat  they  might  recruit  their  ftrength, 
and  perfed:  thefc  ucfigns  :  and  though  the  fettle- 
ment  of  the  limits  in  North- America,  by  Commif- 
iioners  from  both  nations,  was  one  main  article  of 
the  Peace,  they  managed  the  matter  fo  artfully,  as 
to  avoid  coming  to  any  agreement,  and  prolonged 
the  time  'till  they  had  made  preparations  to  drive  us 
•back  by  force  as  far  as  they  pleafcd.  But  by  hallen- 
ing  on  their  fchemes  too  faft,  they  brought  upon 
themfelvcs  the  prefent  war,  and  the  mifchief  defign- 
ed  againfl  us,  is  come  upon  their  own  Heads. 

Now,  that  God's  hand  might  appear  more  evi- 
dently in  the  events  of  this  war,  it  is  worthy  our 
notice,--  That  while  we  prefumed  upon  our  own 
flrength,  and  were  not  fufficisntly  fenfible  of  our 
dependance  upon  Divine  Providence,  we  were  from 
year  to  year  difappointed.  At  firfl  we  boafted  of 
the  numbers  the  colonics  could  raife  ;  look'd  upon 
ourfelves  as  much  more  than  a  match  for  Canada  5 
and  defir'd  no  other  afliflance  from  home  but  mo- 
ney to  pay  our  provincial  troops.  And  when  His 
Majefty^  more  fenfible  of  our  danger,  out  of  his  pa- 
ternal concern  for  us,  fent  over  both  money  and  re- 
gular troops,  this  gave  us  flill  more  fanguine  hopes ; 
we  then  grew  confident  that  every  rnountain  would 
eafily  be  levelled,  and  that  we  had  nothing  to  do> 
but  miirch  and  take  poircillon.     But  how  did  we 

find 


find 


(55) 

find  ourrdvcs  miftakcn  !  Great  difficulties  foon  np- 
pear'd  in  the  prof  edition  of  a  war  in  a  new  country  $ 
efpecially  as  it  was  to  be  carried  far  back  beyond  dur 
fettlements,  thro'  almoft  impenetrable  forefts,  thro* 
mountains,  rivers,  and  lakes,  againft  well  conftruaed 
forts,  and  every  advantage  on  the  enemy's  fide.  And 
befides  all  this,  our  ralhnefs,  or  on  the  contrary,  our 
flow  and  irrefolute  motions,  the  frequent  changes  of 
our  Generals,  and  the  delays  of  our  Fleets,  discon- 
certed and  fruflrated  our  mofl  promifing  plans  of 
operation. 

Wc  were  flufhed  with  our  early  fucccfs  /;/  Ncva^ 
Scotia  f ,  which  was  indeed  of  great  confequence, 
as  it  moft  fcafonably  defeated  the  defigns  of  the 
French  m  that  part  of  the  Continent.  But  how  were 
we  aftonidi'd  and  confounded,  foon  after,  by  the 
news  of  the  inglorious  bloody  defeat  of  the  army 
on  which  we  had  built  our  chief  hopes,  under  the 
brave  but  unfortunate  General  Braddock"^,  Our 
motions  towards  Lake  Ontario,  the  fame  year, 
againft  Niagara  and  Frcntenac,  were  but  a  feint. 
Our  provincial  forces  under  General  "jobifon  indeed 
repulfed  the  French  at  Lake  George,  and  took  pri- 

+  By  taking  Fort  Beaupjour,  and  rrmovins  fcvcral  thoufands  of 
French  Neutrah,  who  had  bcfn  ^uilcy  of  the  moft  perndeous  behavior, 
«nd  were  upon  ths  point  of  ioining  the  Canadians  openly  againft  us ; 
the  confequence  of  which  muft  have  been  our  lofs  of  AtinapoUs  Royal, 
Halifax,  and  all  Neva  Scotia.    June  17,  1^5  5. 

*  July  9.  1755,  on  his  march  wirh  4.000  regular  troops  to  Fort  du 
^ejne,  now  Pitjburg,  en  the  Ohio.  When  he  was  advanced  witliin  a 
few  miles  of  tliat  iort.  he  was  met  by  about  feven  or  eight  hundred 
Canadians  and  Salvages,  who  by  the  advantage  of  the  woods  and  rocks 
intirely  broke  l.is  army,  and  drove  them  back  with  the  greatcft  precipi- 
tation and  confufion,  having  kill'd  and  wounded  above  a  thoufand  »f 
our  troops;  among  the  flain  was  the  General  himfelf,  with  a  great 
number  of  officers ;  the  military  cheft,  and  the  fecretary's  papers  fell 
into  the  enemv^A  h)inr)«  ?  mnA  t'i^a  (\mt-,,-,\',t^,mA  U^J;^_  ... i.f. 1 !.j 

en  the  field  of  battle. 

foner 


(  36  ) 


I!  ( 


foncr  their  General  Ba.  on  Diejkaw  ;  but  this  might 
be  confider'd  as  an  happy  efcape  on  our  fide,  rather 
than  a  vidory,  and  was  an  inftance  of  the  fpirit  and 
refolution  of  the  enemy,  in  venturing  to  meet  us  at 
our  own  ports  *. 

The  next  year  was  remarkable  only  for  our  con- 
tinued fruitlefs  parade  againft  Niagara,  and  Croum^ 
Pointy  and  the  lofs  of  OJwego.  \\ 

The  following  fummer  was  fpent  to  as  little  pur- 
pofe.  Great  preparations  were  made  for  the  fiegc 
or  Louijbourg  j  our  expectations  were  rais'd  ;  our 
troops  waited  at  New-Iork  and  Halifax  for  the  ar- 
rival of  the  Fleet  :  hut  it  came  too  late  j  the  French 
were  beforehand  of  us,  and  guarded  their  harbour 
with  an  equal  naval  force.  The  defign  was  laid 
afide  ;  our  ihips  in  cruizing  on  the  coaft  fuffer'd 

*  With  2500  Canadians  and  Salvages  they  unexpcftedly  came  over 
to  attack  our  Army  at  Fort  Edtvard.  But  finding  the  main  Body  was 
advanced  to  the  Lake,  they  refolved  immediately  to  follow  and  engage 
Uf.  One  of  cur  R;gimf:nts,  fent  out  upon  the  firfl;  news  of  the  Enemy, 
for  the  relief  of  Fort  Edw&rd,  narrowly  eft«ped  being  intirely  cut  cff 
by  an  Ambulcadc,  and  were  ciialed  back  to  the  camp  with  confiderable 
lofs.  The  camp  had  no  defence,  but  a  few  logs  or  trunks  of  trees 
lying  loofely  on  the  ground  for  a  brc?.il  work,  and  one  or  two  cannon 
haftily  mounted,  which  were  ot  little  fervicc  ;  and  our  numbers  wer? 
but  about  two  thoufand.  Had  the  Enemy  prefTcd  on  without  halting, 
they  had  the  fai'-cft  profpcdof  fucccfs  ;  but  by  fighting  at  a  diftancc, 
they  mifTcd  their  advantage,  and  were  obiijicd  10  retreat  with  lofs.  One 
of  the  moft  remarkable  circumllanccs  of  this  siiair,  was  a  ftcond  adion 
the  lame  day,  immediately  attcr  the  enemy's  retreat.  At  their  place  cf 
rendezvouf,  they  were  n;et  by  3  fniall  fcout  of  a  hunlercdand  forty  of 
the  AVo/  Hamp/hirezTiil  New  Tcr^Rejiiments  under  the  Captains  Foljlme 
and  McGentiis,  who,  haflening  Ironi  Fort  F.divard loward  the  Lake  at  th« 
report  of  the  canncn.difcovcr'd  and  engaged  thccncmy.  as  they  were  reaf- 
fembling  where  they  i:ad  left  their  B-ig^age,  (torn  4  P.  M.  till  night,  kilkd 
about  an  hundred, diiperlcd  the  body,&  then  proceeded  to  thcCamp  with 
the  lofs  of  only  fix  of  their  number  killed.    Tlus  was  on  Sept.  8.  1755. 

II  The  Earl  of  Loudoun  arrived  at  Niw  Tori  to  take  the  general  com- 
mand of  all  the  Forces  irt  hWtb  America  July  23.  1756  ;  and  OJwego 
was  furrcndered  to  3000  French  and  Incians,  the  Gaxrilon  cothilinij 
cf  luQO  iHsn  bsifig  Kii;'?  pfifuccrs  «f  war,  AugUU  14, 

greatly 


1 

t 


i  might 

rather 

irit  and 

:t  us  at 

ir  con- 

le  pur- 
e  fiegc 
I  ;  our 
he  ar- 
French 
arbour 
^as  laid 
[uffer'd 

ame  over 
>ody  was 
A  engage 
E  Enemy, 
\y  cut  cff 
:iridcrab]e 
of  trees 

0  cannon 
)crs  wcrq 
C  hdilup.g, 

diftance, 
ofs.  One 
nd  adion 
r  place  cf 
forty  of 
.3  Foljlnte 
kkc  at  the 
vere  reaf- 
;ht,  kilkd 
imp  with 
8.  i755. 
lal  com- 

1  OJwego 
zoitfiilini; 

greatly 


(  37  ) 

greatly  by  a  ftorm,  and  hardly  cfcap*d  a  general 
deilrudion  :  and  in  the  mean  time  General 
MontQalm  fuddenly  pafs'd  Lake  George  with  an 
army  of  ten  or  twelve  thoufand  men,  and  wrefted 
Fort  William-Henry  out  of  our  hands,  and  demo- 
lifh'd  it.  f 

Thus  we  were  difappointed  and  humbled  from 
year  to  year  j  almoft  every  thing  went  againft  us  j 
the  enemy  gain'd  ground,  fortified  and  fecur'd  every 
pals  into  their  own  country,  grew  more  and  more 
animated,  and  were  meditating  and  preparing  to 
drive  us  farther  and  farther,  and  follow  us  down  to 
Albany,  or  even  to  the  city  of  New-Tork,  In  the 
mean  time  thoufands  of  falvages  were  enticed  over 
to  their  intereft,  and  impioy'd  to  harrafs  our  armies, 
rut  off  our  convoys,  and  execute  the  moft  horrid 
barbarities  all  along  on  our  weliern  frontiers  :  and 
even  thofe  Indians  who  had  ever  been  our  fail  friends, 
began  to  defpife  and  defert  us,  and  waited  only  for 
a  fair  oppoitunity  to  join  our  enemies.  So  that  the 
Colonies  were  very  much  difheartencd,  and  appre- 
hended great  danger  of  being  over-run. 

But  when  God  had  thus  prov'd  and  humbled,  and 
convinc'd  as  that  the  race  is  not  to  thefwift,  nor  the 
battle  to  thejlrong^  and  that  our  dependance  muft 
be  plac'd  intirely  onr  him  ;  when  every  one  trembled 
for  the  ev^ent  of  thefe  things,  and  we  began  to  cry 
to  Heaven  more  earneftly  for  Divine  aid,  with  hum- 
ble confeflion  of  our  fins,  and  fubmiffion  to  God  ; 
He  that  hears  the  prayers  of  his  people,  and  pities 
them  under  all  their  afflidlions,  regarded  our  cries, 

+  The  Gtrrifon  confided  of  300©  men,  and  after  holding  out  a 
week,  having  no  profpcft  of  sfTiftance,  obtained  an  honorable  capitula- 
tion :    but  were  aftprwar-i.o   tM»tfir!iniifli#  r,\„^ry  ,„^  *^    k^    »t...J>.^J    ...J 

ilaughtcfcd  b/  the  Salvages.     This  was  Auguft  9.  1757.  , 


,?•  i 


r 


(  3S) 

sand  gave  us  help  from  tronMe.  His  Providence  bro^t 
about  a  change  of  meafures  al  Home,  the  happy  ef- 
fefts  of  which  foon  reach'd  America.  More  powerful 
ficfeafonable  aids  were  fentover,  under  brave,  faithful, 
and  virtuous  officers.  Our  armies  were  ad've  ;  our 
fleets  terrified  and  fhut  up  the  enemy  on  every  fide. 
Laft  year  Louijhourg^  the  key  of  Canada^  was  fur- 
render'd  into  our  hands  :  Frontenac  was  demolifh'd, 
and  Fort  du  ^efne  reduced,  by  a  peculiar  turn  of 
Providence  in  our  favor,  by  which  even  that  melan- 
cholly  defeat  and  flaughter  of  our  troops  at  Ticon- 
dcroga  *,  was  over-rul'd  for  our  advantage.  Thefe 
were  the  beginnings  of  our  triumphs. 

But  this  year  what  Wonders  have  been  wrought  for 

lis ! Befides  reducing  Gaiidaloupe^  one  of  the  fined: 

Ifiands  in  the  We/i-Indies,  and  recovering  the  ground 
which  we  had  loft  at  Ofwego  ;  we  have  gain'd  the 
command  of  the  pafiages  thro'  the  Lakes,  by  the  im- 
portant conqueft  of  Niagara  ;  where  we  had  a 
double  triumph,  in  defeating,  with  great  (laughter, 
a  confiderable  body  of  troops  fent  for  the  relief  of 
that  garrifon.  From  Tliconderoga  and  Croivn-Point 
the  enemy  fled,  and  left  to  our  forces  the  forts  which 
guarded  the  entrance  into  the  heart  of  their  countiy, 
and  which  had  been  the  principal  objerts  of 
our  former  expeditions.  And  rtow,  to  crown  all, 
^EBEC  IS  TAKEN  :  ^ebeCy  the  Metropolis  of 
Canada,  the  ftrength  and  dependance  of  our  ene- 
mies ',  ^lebeCy  to  which  our  moft  earneft  attention 

*  July  8.  1758.  Our  army.  confiftinK  of  about  14000  men.nttarked 
thcFiench  in  their  entrercliments  m'Tic'jnderoga,  h\xi  vfere  rfpulicd, 
and  obliged  to  return,  about  1500  of  our  foldiers  being  killed  or  wound- 
ed. Upon  this  a  refolution  was  immediatciy  taken,  to  fend  Colonel 
BraJJfrcet  with  a  number  of  troops  agtinft  Fnnterac  in  which  expe- 
dition he  .uccceded,  and  lo  prepared  the  way  for  the  redu6\ion  of 


«  « 


«  < 


(  39  ) 

was  tarn  d,  is  taken,  by  a  brave  General,  the  inde- 
fatigable refolute  WOLFE  ;  who,  in  the  lervice  of 
his  King,  for  the  welfare  of  this  Country,  in  the 
faithful  difcharge  of  his  duty,  willingly  expos'd  and 
facrificed  his  own  life,  and  triumphed  in  the  agonies 
of  death. 

With  his  litde  army  he  cheerfully  pufh'd  on  thro' 
the  greateft  fatigues  ;  tried  every  generous,  every 
forcible  method,  to  accomplifli  his  defign  ;  till  at 
lafl  he  found  it  neceifary  to  trufi:  all  to  a  battle  :  and 
accordingly,  with  all  the  art  and  iirmnefs  of  a  fkilful 
and  heroic  General,  he  drew  the  enemy  from  their 
entrenchments,  met  tliem  in  the  field,  though  their 
numbers  were  more  than  double  to  his  own,  and 
gained  a  furprizing  vidory  with  the  lols  of  very  few 
of  his  troops. — Alafs  !  among  the  ilain  He  himfelf 
fell !  by  his  zeal  and  activity  He  was  foon  diftin- 
guifh'd,  and  mark'd  out  for  death  ! — But  he  died 
in  the  midft  of  the  fhouts  of  vidory,  with  the  fatis- 
fadlion  of  having  finifh'd,  faithfully,,  and  fuccefsfully, 
the  work  which  had  been  committed  to  him  by 
God  and  his  King  :  and  if  true  religion  was  the  bafis 
of  his  courage  and  fidelity.  He  is  ftill,  and  fliall  be 
forever  triumphant.  His  name  will  be  remembered, 
in  thefe  Colonies  more  efpecially,  with  the  greateft 
honor  and  gratitude,  to  the  lateft  pofterity. 

This  is  the  Lords  doing,  and  it  is  rnarvellous  in  our 
£yes  :  we  muft  fay,  not  unto  us,  0  Lord,  not  unto  us^ 
but  unto  thy  name  be  the  glory,  for  that  thy  name  is  near 
thy  wondrous  works  declare.  We  mufl  not  glory 
merely  in  ma;i.  While  we  give  defer ved  honors  to 
the  worthy  Commanders  of  our  armies  and  fleets,  we 
mufl  vtmtmhtv  that  the  njidtory  is  the  Lord's, and  that 
they  are  but  inftruments  in  his  hands  by  which  he 

performs 


(  40  ) 

performs  all  thefe  things  for  us.  Amherjl,  Wolfe, 
Bofcawen,  Saunders,  are  names  which  God  has  high- 
ly honored  5  they  have  been  his  officers  to  execute 
his  purpofes  of  goodnefs  towards  us,  by  chaftening 
and  fubduing  a  proud, perfidious,  and  refllefs  enemy: 
by  them  God  has  magnified  his  own  power,  exalted 
himjelfin  his  ownftrength,  and  dif charged  his  arrows 
in  the  faces  of  the  adverfaries  of  his  Church.^ 

Thai:  which  we  have  fo  long  been  wifliing  for, 
Vv^hich  has  been  projcded  again  and  again,  and  at- 
tempted  in  vain,  is  now  accompliflied.    Canada  miijl 
befuhdued,  has  been  the  cry  of  New-England,  ever 
fmce  we  have  felt  the  efFedts  of  their  barbarous  prac- 
tices againfl  us.     Without  any  regard  to  the  mofl 
folemn  ratifications  of  peace,  they  have  continually 
irritated  the  Salvages  againft  :hefe  northern  Provin- 
ces more  efpecially,  and  hired  them  to   deflroy  our 
towns,  murder  and  captivate  the  inhabitants,  and  do 
us  all  the  mifchief  in  their  power.     We  therefore 
had  fuflicient  reafon  to  look  upon  Canada  as  v/orfe 
than  a  Carthage  to  us,  and  make  it  our  grand  aim  to 
deflroy  or  reduce  it.     But  former  Expeditions  mif- 
carried  and  came  to  nothing  :  corruption,  treachery, 
or  cowardice,   and   the  vices  of  our  armies,  which 
were  filled  with  the  mofl  horrible  profancfs,  and  en- 
feebled with  luxury,   drunkenefs,  and  debauchery, 
rendered  all  our  fchemes  abortive.     The   time  was 
not  come  for  our   conquefl  of  that  Country  :   their 
iniquities  were  not  full ;  and  we  were  not  fufficiently 
chaflifcd  and  humbled.     But  now  we  havefeen  that 
'  joful  day  which  our  Fathers  fo  earneflly  wiflied  for. 
We  may  confider  all  Canada  as  reduced,  unlefs  there 
fliould  be  fome  farther  remarka!)le  interpofition  of 
Providence.     The  pafTages  of  the  Lakes  arc  ours  j 

we 


(  41  ) 

we  have  ^ofleffion  of  their  Capital,  and  only  Sea- 
port 5  they  muft  furrender,  or  live  another  year 
without  fupplies  of  provifion,  and  fight  without  am- 
munition. The  Indians  are  forfaking  their  intereft  $ 
our  frontiers  are  quiet,  and  will  be  from  henceforth 
fecure,  if  we  are  permitted  to  enjoy,  at  the  conclufioa 
of  the  war,  this  important  conqueft. 

But,  asChriftians,  we  fhould  rejoice  in  thefe  things 
chiefly  as  they  relate  to  the  Church  and  Kingdom 
of  Jefus  Chrift.     We  are,  by  profeffion,  the  people 
of  God.     Great-Britain  has  been  one   oftheiirft 
among  the  reformed  nations,   and  on  her  fecurity 
and  profperity  the  Proteftant  intereft  very  much  de- 
pends :  and  New-England  has  been  highly  favored 
with  the  light  and  liberty  of  the  Gofpel  j  the  dod- 
lines  of  Chrift  have  been  taught,  and  the  worftiip 
and  difcipline  of  his   Church  maintain'd  with  equal 
purity  here,  as  in  any  other  part  of  the  worldi  And 
therefore  for  his  own  name's  fake,  for  the  honor  and 
advancement  of  true  religion,  God  has  granted  us 
all  this  profperity.     Zeal  for  pure  religion  brought 
over  the  Fathers  of  New-England  from  their  native 
foil,  to  plant  churches,  on  thefe  diftant  defolatefhores, 
upon  the  foundation  of  the  Prophets  and  Apojiles^  Je" 
fus  Chrift  being  the  chief  corner  ftone  :  and  God  fmilcd 
upon  their  defign,  and  perform'd  for  them  Wonders 
of  Providence,  almoft  parallel  with  what  he  did  for 
Ifrael  when  he  bro't  them  out  of  Egypt ;  fo  that  we 
can  with  great  propriety  apply  the  words  of  the 
Pfalmift,  and  fay— /^  have  heard  with  our  ears,  &c^. 
We  now  enjoy  the  word  and  ordinances  of  God  in 
their  original  purity  and  fimplicity,  with  that  liberty 
which  is  the  glory  of  chriftianity  ;  a  blefling  from 
time  to  time  has  accompanied  the  means  of  grace  ; 
our  Churches  are  greatly  multiplied,   well  fuppiied 
jvith  able  and  faithful  ikf/»/'^^n  oftheNew-Teftament^ 
•  Pf«l.  xUv.  1, 2,  J,  F  and 


(  42  )) 

and  fpreading  farther  and  farther  into  the  wHdcrncfesr 
and  notwithftanding  our  great  dcclcnfions,  there  arc; 
multitudes  not  only  of  honeft,  fober,  virtaous  pro- 
feflbrs,  but  humble,  obedient,  exemplary  ehriftians 
in  our  numerous  Parities,  by  whom  the  name  of 
our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  is  and  will  be  glorified. 

We  may  therefore  behold  the  goodncfs  of  God  ta 
us,  to  the  natbn,  to  all  the  proteftant  Churches,  in 
the  late  wonderful  fuccefs  of  our  arms,  and  the  arms 
of  our  Allies.    Thus  God  is  ftrengthning  and  giving 
weight  to  theprotejiant  /»/^r^,manifcfting  his  wrath 
againft  the  anticbrijlian  powerSy   and  preparing  die 
way  for  the  final  ruin  of  that  fpiritual  tyranny  and 
myftery  of  iniquity.     For  thefe  ends  He  has  raifed  up 
and  fupported  his  Pruffian  Majefty  j  that  like  a  fe- 
cond  Cyrus,   he  may  execute  the  Divine  purpofes 
againft  myftical  Babylon,    God   has  given  him  the 
moft  extraordinary   military  Genius,  infpircd  him 
widi  wifdom  and  courage,  upheld  and  ftrengthned 
him,  and  fubdued  mighty  armies  before  his  fword, 
not  meerly  that  he  might  be  famous,  as  the  Mero  of 
theprefent  age,  but,  as  we  have  better  reafonto  fup- 
pofe,  to  accomplifti  fome  important  defigns  of  Pro- 
vidence in  favor  ot  the   Church.    Providence  has 
joined  us  in  alliance  with  him  -,  we  have  fharcd  in 
his  profperity  ;  the  Lord  of  Hojis  has  been  with  our 
armies  ;  thro*  God  we  have  done  'valiantly,  for  He  hath 
fubdued  our  enemies  before  us>  7wice  the  French  hav^ 
been  difappointtd  and  totally  defeated  in  their  at>. 
tempts  upon  Hanover  :  the  former  vidlbry  obtained 
over  them  by  his  Prujfian  Majefty,  in  pcrfon  j  and 
the  late  fatal  blow  which  they  have  received  from 
Prince  Ferdinand,  are  equally  furprizing,  and  happy 
in  their  Confequents. 

When  we  review  the  repeated  vidories  which 
Jiavc  beeh  obtained  on  the  continent  of  Europe  finc^ 

the 


i   4 


m 


(43) 

die  prcfent  war;— when  we  confider  how  our  Flceti 
have  alarmed  and  diftreffed  the  encnny  on  their 
fea-coafts,  deftroyed  their  Navy,  and  ruined  their 
Trade  j —  when  we  recolle<ft  all  our  conquefts  in 
Africa^  the  Weji-lndies,  and  thefe  northern  parts  of 
America  ;~  when  we  confider  how  greatly  this  war 
has  embstrraffed  and  wcaken'd  France  and  Aujiria, 
the  two  main  Pillars  of  the  Papacy  -, — we  may  fee 
i^ery  evident  tokens  of  God's  favor  to  his  Church,  for 
the  encouragement  of  all  his  faithful  people  to  look 
and  wait  for  the  accomplifliment  of  his  promrfes. 
The  time  will  fhortly  come,  and  it  may  be  much 
nearer  than  we  imagine,  when  it  will  be  proclaimed 

with  a  fhout  of  general  joy Babylo?i  the  great  is 

fallen,  is  fallen  !  rejoice  over  her  thou  heaven,  and  ye 
holy Apo files  and  Prophets,  for  God  loath  avenged  you  on 
her.  I'hey  have  Jhed  the  blood  of  faints  and  prophets,  & 
Godhafh  given]them  Mood  tv  drink,  for  they  areworthyV 
'■  As  to  America,  the  immediate  dcfign  of  Provi- 
dence may  be  to  fecure  this  part  of  Chrift's  vifiblb 
Church,  and  make  way  for  its  greater  enlargement 
and  profpcrity  j  that  the  knowlege  of  the  truth  may 
fpread  and  fill  the  Continent;  that  Churches  may  rife 
up  and  fhine  every  where,  thro*  the  wide  countries 
whkh  now  lie  wafte ;  that  the  Gofpel  may  be  pro* 
pagated  in  its  purity,  fimplicity.  and  power,  amonjj 
the  many  thoufands  of  indian  tribes,  which  now  live 
a  ranging  falvage  life  round  the  vaft  Lakes,  and  thro* 
the  boundlefs  forcfts.  Perhaps  a  door  is  now  open* 
ing  for  proteftant  miflions,  where  the  Emiflaries  of 
Rome  have  been  eftabliihing  falfliood  and  idolatry  j 
that  falvation  by  Jefus  Chrift,  the  only  Mediator,  may 
be  preached  among  them,  and  that  they  may  be 
taught  a  virtuous  civil  life.  This  will  make  way  for 
#-Vif»  nrnnpr  imnrnvpnnf=!nt  of  our  lar^ell  charitahh 

funds^  to  convert  heathen  nations^  and  thofe  who  have 

beea 


(  44  ) 

been  deluded  with  popijhfuperftitions,  and  bring  them 
to  the  knowlege  of  God,  and  conformity  to  the  doct- 
rines of  Chrift. 

God  has  been  ftretching  out  his  hand  in  favor  of 
the  Proteftant  caufc,  difappointing  the  mifchicvous 
dcfigns  of  the  French,  and  requiting  the  perfidy  and 
barbarity  which  they  have  fo  long  been  praAifing 
again  ft  thefe  Colonies.  He  has  at  length  bro't  us  into 
the  ftrong  city,  the  Capital  of  a  Country  which  to  us 
ha*  been  like  L  ;  ^o  Ifrael.  Shall  we  not  fing^ 
and  praife  his  poit.  Let  us  behold  and  admire 
thefe  remarkable  difplays  of  his  goodnefs,  and  afcribe 
to  him  ail  the  glory  of  thofe  great  things  which  have 
been  done  for  us.  If  we  have  a  proper  fenfe  of  his 
band  in  all  this,  it  will  fill  our  hearts  with  unfeigned 
love  and  gratitude  ; — it  will  ftrike  our  minds  with 
deeper  impreflions  of  religion  ; — it  will  lead  us  to 
ferve  God,  with  greater  zeal  and  cheerfulnefs,  in  all 
the  duties  of  devotion,  in  the  practice  of  univerfal 
holinefs,  in  our  Churches  and  families^  in  our  private 
and  public  condudt,  according  to  all  his  laws  and 
ordinances  : — it  will  fill  us  with  the  higheft  cfteem 
of  the  glorious  Gofpel,  which  he  has  committed  into 
our  hands  ;  we  (hall  live  as  chriftians,  as  true  pro- 
teftants,  agreable  to  our  high  and  holy  profefllon, 
according  to  the  purity  and  power  of  that  excellent < 
religion  which  is  our  glory. 

We  have  already  fufficiently  tcftified  our  Joy,  in 
a  civil  way  j  we  have  given  a  decent  public  demon- 
flration  of  our  loyalty  and  love  of  our  country,  upon 
the  news  of  our  conquefts  ;  we  have  proclaimed  the 
fuccefs  of  his  Majejlys  arms  to  diftant  towns  by  thun- 
dering cannon,  and  indulged  our  joy  by  a  fplendid 
evening  (how  *.     It  will  now  be  moft  proper,  and 

*  About  three  weeks  before  this  fermon  was  delivered  ;  t  few  dayt' 
tfter  the  news  of  the  furrcnder  of  ^dec  aniv«d  here. 

*'  moil 


c 
f 

c 
;: 
c 
c 


of 


moft  acceptable  to  God,  that  our  joy  l>e  of  a  mofi 
compofed  and  religious  kind,  excrcifed  in  the  moil 
ferious  confidcration  of  the  wonderful  mercies  grant- 
ed us  from  Heaven.  Tho*  we  could  have  wifh'd  for, 
more  religious  folemnity  on  fuch  an  extraordinary  oc* 
cafion,  and  even  to  have  devoted  a  whole  day  to  offer, 
our  grateful  acknowlegements  to  the  God  of  the  ar^ 
mies  of  Ifraelj  and  meditate  on  his  m«rcies  j  this 
would  have  been  attended  with  fome  inconveniency 
,  this  laft  day  of  the  week.— We  are  called  upon  b/ 
authority  "  to  perform  divine  fervice  in  the  morning 
cnly.  -f  Let  us  therefore,  .while  we  are  in  the  Houfe 
cfGody  labour  to  offer  our  thankfgivings  to  him  with 
iincere  hearts,  and  pure  devotion. — But  certainly  11 
it  would  be  inconvenient  to  fpend  this  whole  day  ia 
religious  exercifcs ;  it  muft  not  only  be  inconvenient, 
but  highly  improper  and  finful,  to  fpend  the  reft  of 
it  in  the  noify,  diforderly,  fenfual  mirth,  and  divert 
fions  of  the  Mob,  in  revelling  and  drunkencfs,  in  any 
of  thofe  things  which  either  are  vicious  in  themfelves,, 
or  tend  to  difcompofe  the  mind,  and  unfit  men  for 
approaching  holy  time. — This  evening  is  the  prepara^ 
tion,  and  the  Jabhath  is  at  hand. — Noifc  and  fhow,  ' 
Guns  and  Fireworks  this  evening,  can  never  be  plca- 
fing  to  our  King,  as  teftimonies  of  loyalty  \  but  to 
the  King  of  Heaven  they  muft  be  highly  provoking, 
as  the  plaineft  indications  that  we  have  no  becoming 
grateful  fenfe  of  his  Benefits. 

We  are  ready  to  honor  tb»^  King  by  the  utmoft 
teftimonies  of  due  refpedt  and  allegiance  :  but  whilft 
we  render  to  Cefar  the  things  which  are  Cefars,  we 
muft  alfo  be  careful  to  render  unto  God  the  things 

f  The  words  of  the  Proclamttion  for  •  general  Thankfgiving  ire^ 
"  the  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel  tre  hereby  direfted  to  perforin  Divine 
Service  m  iijcir  fsfpcdiive  eosgregsiioBs  in  she  moaning oniy,  the  nfier- 
t&oon  being  devoted  to  public  rtjoicingSf  and  lawful  divtrftomH^ 

which 


(46) 

<mKncB  are  God's,  We  muft  not  break  in  upon  that 
pawrt  of  tifnac  which  God,  by  an  cxprcfs  comnrifand^ 
fcaarc^wTved  for  himfelf  and  the  benefit  of  our  fouls  j 
aor  poe  ourfelves  into  an  unfuitabk  frame  for  the 
rcUgioas  exercifes  of  i^. 

1  tremble  for  our  Sabbaths. — If  Wc,  who  have 
been  a  people  hitherto  remarkable  for  keeping  op 
^  folemniity  of  the  Lord's  day,  now  grow  carelefe, 
and  Iboliffhly  afFedl  and  endeavour  gradually  to  intro- 
<idce  an  indilFerence  and  laxnefs  in  the  obfervationof 
hy9  general  corruption  of  morals  will  immediately 
feccded,  vice  will  break  in  upon  us  like  a.  flood,  and 
the  G(ivernm€nt  will  ibon  very  fenfibly  feel  the  fad 
cfFe^i-^-^^But,  which  is  much  more  to  be  dreaded, 
this  will  bring  down  the  anger  of  Heaven  upon  us : 
tho*  we  may  be  fecure  from  enemies  for  many  years 
to  come^  God  has  a  variety  of  judgments  with  which 
he  can  poiiif}!  a  backfliding  profane  people.  He  can 
an^i  will  fend  upon  us  other  plagues,  as  diflreiHng, 
more  d^flrucflive,  than  foreign  arms,  or  Salvage 
cruelties. 

But!  need  not  enter  any  farther  cautions  againfl 
diforderly  ill-timed  rejoicings :  you  will  doubtlefs  pay 
fo  much  regard  to  that  melancholly  providence,  by 
which  the  joy  of  his  Excellency  our  Governor  *  is 
fuddenly  turned  into  mourning,  as  to  mourn  with 
him  in  decent  (ilencc,  omitting  the  intended  parade 
and  divcriions  of  the  dav. 

And  now  I  cannot  conclude  without  one  hint  at 
the  moft  proper  application  of  the  whole  to  the  King^ 
dom  andViBories  ofChrift,  that  promifed  Son  ofDa^ 
vidy  whole  throne  is  eftabliflied  forever.  God  the 
Father  has  fet  this  glorious  King  upon  his  holy  hill 
of  Sion  5  He  has  rais'd  him  up  to  the  throne  of  uni- 

*  Ifis  only  Son  John  Wentworth,  Efq;  died  fuddenly  on  iHc 
thurfdajr  before  the  delivery  wf  ihis  difcourfe. 

verfal 


(47) 

verfal  Empire  ;  and  he  mud  reign  till  all  encmicf 
are  fubdued  under  his  feet.  His  hand  Jkall Jind  out 
all  his  enemies i  his  right  hand Jhall Jind  out  thofe  that 
hate  him.  In  vain  do  the  powers  of  earth  and  hell 
combine  againft  him,  and  his  Church  ;  he  will  dis- 
appoint and  confound  them  ;  his  wrath  will  be  like 
a  flaming  furnace  to  devour  them.  In  righteoufnefs  he 
doth  judge  and  make  w'ar :  by  his  word  and  providences 
he  rides  forth  againft  his  enemies,  glorioully  terrible 
in  Majefty  and  Strength;  either  to  conquer  and  bring 
them  to  fubmiflion,  that  they  may  become  his  wil- 
ling fubjedts :  or  finally  to  fubdue  and  deliver  them 
up  to  complete  everlafting  Deftrudion.  He  will 
fulfil  the  prophecies  of  his  Word,  and  pour  out  the 
vials  of  his  wrath  to  the  utmoft  upon  antichriftiati 
nations. — But  there  is  a  greater  and  more  dreadful 
T>ay  of  Wrath  to  come,  when  all  the  myfteries  of 
providence  and  grace  will  be  finifh'd  ;  when  all  the 
kingdoms  of  this  woi  d,  and  this  whole  yifible  cre- 
ation fhall  be  difTolved  ;  when  the  wicked  fhall  be 
as  ftubble  to  the  flame,  and  all  who  know  not  God, 
and  obey  not  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift,  fhall  be  punifli'd 
with  everlafting  deftrudtion  from  his  prefencc  and 
the  glory  of  his  power. — Let  Sinners  fear  his  wrath, 
and  now  make  peace  with  him,  while  he  offers  to 
grant  them  not  only  the  privileges  of  fubjedts,  but 
the  dignity  and  inheritance  of  children  of  the  Moft 
High. — Let  us  acknowlege  and  obey  him  as  our 
King  and  Savior,  and  we  (hall  rejoice  that  he  lives, 
that  he  reigns  and  profpers  ;  we  fhall  now  triumph 
in  all  his  vidtories,  and  fhall  finally  triumph  forever 
with  his  faints,  enjoy  all  the  bleffings  of  his  glorious 
Kingdom,  and  reign  with  him  in  Life  eternal. 

Blejjingy  and  honor ^  and  glory  ^  and  power y  be  unto 
the  King  that  Jit  teth  on  the  heavenly  throne,  and  to  the 
Lamb  fore^jer  and  ever,        AMEN. 

F.  1 4, 1. 3,dclc  comma  «{ Jntoninus,  F.i6, 1. 4,  r.  prevail.  I.7.  r.  advantage. 


